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LIBRARY 


UNIVERSITY   OF  CALIFORNIA 

Receded.-.    .-.**£ 
A c cessions  No. .$-&£ 3          Shel   No. 


THE 


PRESIDENT'S  TOUR 


A 

NARRATIVE 

if 

OF 

A  TOUR  OF  OBSERVATION, 

MADE  DURING  THE  SUMMER  OF  1817, 

BY 

JAMES  MONROE, 

PRESIDENT   OF   THE    UNITED    STATES, 

THROUGH 

THE  NORTH-EASTERN  AND  NORTH-WESTERN 
DEPARTMENTS  OF  THE  UNION: 

WITH  A  VIEW  TO 


THE  EXAMINATION  OF  THEIR  SEYE 
DEFENCES. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

JL'UBLISHED  BY  S.  A.  MITCHELL  6?  H.  AMES. 

Clark  &  Raser,  Printers. 
1818. 


District  of  Pennsylvania,  to  wit:        / 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  twenty-ninth  day  of  Decem 
ber,  in  the  forty-second  year  of  the  independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  A.  D.  1817,  Mitchell  &  Ames,  of  the  said 
district,  have  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the 
rig'ht  whereof  they  claim  as  proprietors,  in  the  words  following-, 
to  wit: 

•'  A  Narrative  of  a  Tour  of  Observation,  made  during  the  sum 
mer  of  1817,  by  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United 
States,  through  the  north-eastern  and  north-western  depart 
ments  of  the  union:  with  a  view  to  the  examination  of  their 
several  military  defences.  With  an  Appendix." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  congress  of  the  United  States, 
entitled,  "  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing 
the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  pro 
prietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned." — 
And  also  to  the  act,  entitled,  "  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act, 
entitled,  '  An  act  for  the  encouragement  of  learning,  by  securing1 
the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  the  authors  and  pro 
prietors  of  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,' 
and  extending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  en 
graving1,  and  etching  historical  and  other  prints." 

D.  CALDWELL, 
Clerk  of  the  District  of  Pennsylvania, 


JI     [7ERSIT7; 


4 

INTRODUCTION. 


A  CONSIDERABLE  degree  of  public  interest  having- 
been  excited  by  the  late  tour  of  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  undertaken  soon  after  his  induction 
into  office,  and  constituting  one  of  the  first  important 
acts  of  his  administration,  the  editor  has  thought 
himself  warranted  in  the  publication  of  the  following 
account  of  its  course,  and  of  the  events  attending  it. 
In  the  numerous  addresses,  delivered  to  him  by  the 
citizens,  and  in  the  replies  which  they  received,  the 
sentiments  of  the  people,  and  the  views  of  the  exe 
cutive,  are  constantly  developed ;  and  the  preserva 
tion  of  these  could  in  no  way  be  more  properly 
effected,  than  by  collecting  them  under  one  general 
head,  and  blending  them  with  intermediate  descrip 
tions  of  his  journey,  in  the  form  and  character  of 
a  Narrative. 

During  the  late  war  with  Great  Britain,  a  practi 
cal  opportunity  wras  afforded  to  the  government  of 
the  United  States,  to  discover  the  relative  import 
ance  of  the  defences  erected  along  the  frontier, 
dividing  the  American  and  British  possessions,  and 
the  strength  and  utility  of  the  various  fortified  places 
on  the  marine  exterior.  The  frequent  and  some 
times  successful,  incursions  of  the  late  enemy,  en 
forced  the  necessity  of  selecting  new  points  for  the 
erection  of  strong  and  efficient  batteries,  to  protect 


vi  INTRODUCTION. 

the  country  against  future  invasion ;  of  demolishing 
such  works,  as  were  thence  found  to  have  been  con 
structed  in  improper  situations ;  and  of  concentrating 
the  regular  forces,  at  such  positions  as  should  render 
their  co-operation  speedy  and  effective. 

Impressed  with  the  magnitude  of  this  subject, 
Mr.  Monroe  had  no  sooner  passed  through  the  forms 
of  his  inauguration,  than  he  directed  his  attention 
to  the  means  by  which  to  accomplish  so  desirable  an 
object.  A  mere  theoretical  knowledge  would  be  in 
sufficient  for  the  consummation  of  his  views ;  and, 
indeed,  could  not  be  entirely  depended  upon.  Avail 
ing  himself,  therefore,  of  the  experience  acquired 
before  the  close  of  the  late  contest,  he  determined 
to  engage  in  a  personal  examination  of  the  situation, 
strength,  and  condition,  of  all  the  citadels  and  mili 
tary  posts  in  the  northern  and  eastern  departments 
of  the  union.  To  the  early  execution  of  this  inten 
tion,  he  was  urged,  as  he  has  himself  intimated,  by 
a  desire  to  look  into  the  economical  expenditure  of 
the  public  monies,  which  had  been  liberally  appro 
priated  by  congress ;  to  facilitate  the  completion  of 
these  measures;  and  to  ascertain  the  propriety  of 
adopting  plans,  suggested  by  the  agents  employed  in 
the  service  of  fortification. 

Not  long  after  the  expiration  of  the  congressional 
term,  in  the  spring  of  1817,  the  President  entered 
upon  this  laudable  undertaking,  and  prosecuted  his 
route  through  all  the  principal  towns  and  cities, 
which  he  had  marked  out  for  his  first  tour  of  obser 
vation.  Departing  from  the  capital,  he  passed 


INTRODUCTION.  yii 

through  Baltimore  to  the  state  of  Delaware,  to  the 
cities  of  Philadelphia,  New  York,  and  the  chief 
towns  in  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island,  to  Boston, 
and  other  parts  of  Massachusetts,  to  the  capital, 
and  other  towns  in  New  Hampshire,  and  through 
the  province  of  Maine  to  the  town  of  Portland. 
Thence  he  extended  his  journey  westward  through 
Vermont;  inspected  the  wrorks  at  Plattsburg:  and 
passing  through  the  forests,  to  the  St.  Lawrence, 
he  embarked  for  lake  Ontario ;  visited  Sacket's  Har 
bour,  and  Fort  Niagara ;  and,  advancing  along  the 
strait  to  Buffalo,  sailed  through  Lake  Erie,  and 
landed  at  Detroit,  the  extremity  of  his  tour.  He 
took  a  direction  thence  through  the  woods  of  the 
Michigan  territory,  and  through  the  states  of  Ohio, 
Pennsylvania,  and  Maryland,  towards  the  District 
of  Columbia,  where  he  arrived  after  an  absence  of 
more  than  three  months. 

From  this  long,  laborious,  and  fatiguing  journey, 
which  the  President  had  imposed  upon  himself  as  a 
public  duty,  many  and  great  advantages  will  be  de 
rived,  as  well  by  the  general  community  of  the 
United  States,  as  the  particular  districts  of  the  coun 
try  through  which  it  was  necessarily  made.  The 
"persevering  manner  in  which  it  was  performed,  and 
the  entire  accomplishment  of  its  ulterior  objects,  are 
strong  and  certain  indications  of  its  beneficial  re 
sults.  With  an  alacrity  paralleled  only  by  the  prompt 
aid  of  the  citizens  to  accelerate  his  movements,  the 
President  inspected  garrisons ;  examined  fortifica 
tions  ;  reviewed  infantry  regiments  at  cantonments : 


Viii  INTRODUCTION. 

and  obtained  a  knowledge  of  the  condition  of  the  mi 
litary  arsenals  and  naval  depots,  along  the  Atlantic 
and  inland  frontiers.  To  these  numerous  duties,  he 
added  the  desire  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the 
people;  to  correct  abuses  in  the  public  offices;  to  avert 
the  calamities  incident  to  any  future  period  of  hosti 
lities;  to  ameliorate  the  condition  of  the  poorer  classes 
of  society;  and  to  unite  and  harmonize,  the  sentiments 
and  affections,  of  the  citizens  of  one  section  with  those 
of  another.  These  desirable  and  happy  consequences 
could  not  be  achieved,  without  infinite  labour,  ex 
cessive  fatigue,  and  numberless  privations;  all  which 
were  greatly  increased,  by  Ms  determination  to  re 
turn  to  the  capital,  through  a  succession  of  forests, 
wildernesses,  and  Indian  settlements,  intervening 
between  Detroit  and  the  settled  parts  of  the  state  of 
Ohio.  In  traversing  this  district  of  the  union, 
the  President  encountered  all  the  difficulties  atten 
dant  upon  bad  roads,  and  the  impediments  of  deep 
mires  and  unbridged  streams.  His  fare  too  was  not 
of  the  most  sumptuous  kind,  and  he  frequently  slept, 
with  his  suite,  in  Indian  huts,  his  great  coat  and 
saddle  serving  the  purposes  of  bed  and  pillow,  and 
his  person  guarded  only  by  the  chiefs  of  the  different 
tribes.  He  sustained,  however,  all  the  inconve 
niences  of  comfortless  lodgings,  and  unpleasant  and 
fatiguing  travelling,  without  any  abatement  of  that 
cheerfulness,  and  sense  of  public  duty,  manifested  in 
the  commencement  of  his  tour,  the  advantageous  re 
sults  of  which  will  long  be  remembered  and  acknow 
ledged  by  the  nation. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

i'he  President  leaves  Washington — arrives  at  Baltimore 
— visits  North  Point  and  Fort  M'Henry — is  address 
ed  by  the  Corporation — leaves  Baltimore  and  enters 
the  state  of  Delaware—- lands  at  Fort  Mifflin — pro 
ceeds  thence  to  Philadelphia — addressed  by  the  Cin 
cinnati — visits  the  Navy  Yard,  the  Franklin  Seventy- 
four,  and  the  Public  Institutions.  Page  13 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  President  leaves  Philadelphia  and  arrives  at  Tren 
ton — reflections  on  his  visit  there — addressed  by  the 
recorder — proceeds  to  New  Brunswick — to  Elizabeth- 
town  Point — arrives  at  the  seat  of  the  Vice-President 
on  Staten  Island — New  York— -resolutions  of  the 
Common  Council — address  of  the  Corporation — of 
the  Cincinnati— visits  Castle  Williams,  the  fort  at 
Bedlow's  Island,  and  Brooklyn  Heights — inducted 
into  the  New  York  Institute — address  of  Mr.  Clin 
ton,  p.  28 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Proceedings  of  the  Society  for  the  encouragement  oi 
American  Manufactures — Introduction  of  the  Pre 
sident — Report  of  the  Corresponding  Committee — 
their  Address — Election  of  Messrs.  Adams,  Jefferson, 
and  Madison — their  Letters — the  President  proceeds 
to  West  Point — returns  to  New  York — inspects  the 
Forts  at  the  Narrows — visits  Sandy  Hook — departs 
lor  New  Haven.  p*  45 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  President  arrives  at  New  Haven — resolutions  of 
the  Citizens — Middletown — address  of  the  Corpora 
tion  there — the  President  proceeds  to  Hartford— ad 
dress  of  the  Citizens — he  repairs  to  Springfield,  and 
visits  the  United  States  Armory — receives  a  Com 
mittee  from  the  Citizens — resolutions  at  New  Lon 
don — the  President  arrives  there — is  addressed  by  the 
Common  Council — visits  Fort  Trumbull — the  town 
of  Groton  and  Fort  Griswold — makes  an  excursion  up 
the  Thames — sails  from  New  London — sleeps  at 
Stonington,  and  arrives  at  Newport — proceeds  thence 
to  Providence.  p.  66 

CHAPTER  V. 

Massachusetts — the  President  is  received  on  its  line  by 
the  Governor's  Aid — passes  through  Attleborough, 
Wrentham  and  Walpole,  and  sleeps  at  Dedham — 
arrives  at  Boston — address  of  the  Citizens — inspec 


CONTENTS,  XI 

tioii  of  Forts  Independence  and  Warren — celebra 
tion  of  the  4th  of  July — address  of  the  Cincinnati — 
of  the  Minority  of  the  Legislature.  p.  89 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Inspection  of  the  Navy  Yard — The  President  boards 
the  Independence  seventy-four — Midshipman  King's 
Narrative — Charlestown — address  of  the  Citizens — 
The  President  repairs  to  Bunker  Hill — Middlesex 
Canal — Oratorio*— visit  to  Cambridge  College — ad 
dress  of  the  Faculty — the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws 
conferred  on  the  President — review  of  the  Boston 
troops — Quincy.  p.  113 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  President  departs  from  Boston — address  of  the 
Citizens  of  Lynn — proceeds  to  Marblehead,  thence  to 
Salem  and  Ipswich — resolutions  at  these  places — 
Newburyport — address  of  the  Citizens  there — inspec 
tion  of  the  Factories  at  Amsbury— -the  President  ar 
rives  at  Portsmouth — address  of  the  Citizens — of  the 
Associated  Mechanics  and  Manufacturers.  p.  129 

CHAPTER  VIII, 

Province  of  Maine — the  President  lands  at  Kittery — ad 
dress — proceeds  to  Kennebunk,  and  is  addressed  there 
— Wells— Arundel — Biddeford— address  of  a  Com 
mittee — the  President  repairs  through  Saco  and  Scar 
borough  to  Portland — reply  to  the  invitation  from  the 
Citizens  of  Bath  and  other  towns— visit  to  forts  Pre- 


Xll 

ble  and  Scammel — address  of  the  Clergy — the  Presi 
dent  re-enters  New  Hampshire.  p.  144 

CHAPTER  IX. 

The  President  visits  the  Military  Works  at  Rouse's 
Point — lands  at  Plattsburg — Description  of  the  At 
tack  upon  that  Town — Chateaugay — Ogdensburg— 
Address  of  the  Citizens — the  President  proceeds  to 
Watertown,  and  reaches  Sackets  Harbour — Address 
ed  by  the  veteran  Officers — by  the  Citizens — some 
account  of  the  Defence  of  that  Place — the  President 
sails  for  Fort  Niagara — arrives  at  Buffaloe.  p.  180 

CHAPTER  X. 

The  President  sails  through  Lake  Erie — arrives  at 
Detroit — Address  of  the  Trustees  of  that  City — he 
arrives  at  the  town  of  Delaware,  Ohio — Columbus  and 
Worthington — Reply  to  an  address  there — proceeds 
through  Centreville  to  Chillicothe — Address  of  the 
Corporation — the  President  passes  through  Tarleton, 
Lancaster,  and  other  towns,  to  Zanesville — thence  to 
Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania— pursues  his  route  by  Hagers- 
town  and  Fredericktown,  Maryland — returns  to  the 
City  of  Washington— -Address  of  the  Mayor  and 
Citizens.  p.  200 


NARRATIVE 

OF 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

CHAPTER  L 

The  President  leaves  Washington — arrives  at  Balti 
more — visits  North  Point  and  Fort  M'Henry — is 
addressed  by  the  Corporation — leaves  Baltimore  and 
enters  the  state  of  Delaware — lands  at  Fort  Mifflin 
— proceeds  thence  to  Philadelphia — addressed  by  the 
Cincinnati — visits  the  Navy  Yard,  the  Franklin 
Seventy-four,  and  the  Public  Institutions. 

AVAILING  himself  of  a  season  of  comparative 
leisure,  the  President  left  Washington  City,  on  Sa 
turday  the  31st  of  May,  with  an  intention  of  prose 
cuting  the  object  of  his  tour,  through  the  NORTHERN 
and  EASTERN  departments  of  the  Union.  His  de 
parture  from  the  capital,  was  made  in  so  unostenta 
tious  and  private  a  manner,  that  most  of  the  citizens 
were  ignorant  of  that  circumstance,  until  it  was  an 
nounced  to  them,  hy  the  daily  Intelligencer,  when  he 
was  already  many  miles  on  his  journey.  The  ne- 


14  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

cessity  of  his  return  to  the  seat  of  government,  pre 
viously  to  the  ensuing  fall,  made  it  incumbent  on  him 
to  travel  with  as  much  celerity  as  the  avowed  pur 
poses  of  his  journey  would  permit;  and,  to  do  this, 
he  was  desirous  to  pass  through  the  intermediate 
towns,  with  as  much  privacy  as  possible.  The  dis 
position  of  the  citizens,  however,  did  not,  in  this 
particular,  coincide  with  his  own,  and  his  approach 
to  Baltimore,  being  already  anticipated  by  the  citi 
zens  of  that  place,  they  determined  that  he  should  be 
publicly  received,  and  conducted,  by  a  military  escort, 
to  his  quarters.  A  corresponding  desire  to  receive  the 
President  in  a  manner  suitable  to  his  elevated  rank, 
and  with  a  respect  due  to  his  eminent  public  services, 
soon  evinced  itself  in  all  the  principal  cities,  through 
which  lie  would  be  obliged  to  pass,  and  preparations 
were  every  where  making,  to  pay  him  the  highest 
possible  honours. 

Consistently  with  his  own  desire  to  avoid  all  kind 
of  parade,  lie  selected  a  moment  for  his  entrance 
into  the  city  of  Baltimore,  when  its  inhabitants 
would,  in  all  probability,  be  engaged  in  their  devo 
tional  exercises,  and  when  he  might  repair  to  the 
apartments  which  had  been  provided  for  him,  without 
being  himself  molested,  and  without  attracting  the 
attention  of  any  part  of  the  community.  It  was  no 
sooner  known,  to  a  few  individuals,  that  such  were 
the  President's  contemplations,  than  intelligence  was 
spread  about  the  town,  and  a  large  cavalcade  of 
citizens  on  horseback,  and  a  troop  of  the  city  caval 
ry,  immediately  proceeded  to  the  Washington  road, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK.  15 

where  they  met  the  President,  and,  after  an  inter 
change  of  civilities,  attended  him  to  the  Fountain 
Inn.  Here  lie  was  welcomed  by  a  number  of  the 
most  respectable  and  distinguished  citizens,  and  in 
the  afternoon  attended  the  church  of  the  reverend 
Dr.  Ing] is. 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  accompanied  hy 
generals  Smith,  Winder,  Strieker,  and  Swift,  and 
a  number  of  military  officers,  he  visited  the  breast 
works  which  had  been  thrown  up  for  the  defence  of 
Baltimore,  during  the  war,  and  thence  repaired  to 
the  battle  ground,  at  North  Point.  A  personal  view 
of  this  scene,  must  have  been  peculiarly  interesting 
to  the  President,  as  well  as  to  the  gentlemen  present, 
two  of  whom,  generals  Smith  and  Winder,  had  been 
attached  to  the  troops  within  the  line  of  fortification ; 
and  another,  general  Strieker,  had  the  good  fortune 
to  command,  in  person,  that  division  of  the  army, 
which  on  this  spot,  on  the  12th  of  September  1814, 
sustained  the  conflict  with  the  British  regulars  under 
colonel  Brooke,  the  successor  in  command  to  major- 
general  Ross,  who  fell  soon  after  landing  his  forces, 
in  a  skirmish  brought  on  by  the  American  light  party, 
under  major  Heath. 

In  this  contest,  the  American  militia,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  51st  regiment,  and  a  few  companies  of 
the  left  battalion  of  the  39th,  behaved  with  uncom 
mon  coolness  and  intrepidity,  and  general  Strieker 
must  have  enjoyed  much  gratification,  in  the  oppor 
tunity  of  verbally  detailing,  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  upon  the  same  ground,  the  events  ot" 


16  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

a  battle,  which,  setting  aside  the  flight  of  the  left 
flank,  if  it  had  a  single  fault,  it  was  the  fault  of 
having  been  fought  too  long,  and  which  relieved  one 
of  the  most  distinguished  and  patriotic  cities  in  the 
union,  from  the  desolating  consequences  of  a  visit 
from  an  enemy;  established  the  character  of  the 
American  arms;  and  saved  millions  of  property  from 
capture  and  destruction. 

Having  returned  from  this  early  excursion  to  his 
quarters  in  the  city,  the  President  was  waited  on  by 
the  mayor  and  corporation  of  Baltimore,  by  whom 
he  was  addressed  in  the  following  words : 

"  Baltimore,  June  2,  1817. 
"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

«•'  Sir — We,  the  mayor  and  city  council  of  Balti 
more,  embrace  with  great  pleasure,  this  opportunity 
of  personally  congratulating  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  union  on  his  arrival  at  this  place. 

"  Your  determination,  in  the  commencement  of 
your  administration,  to  visit  several  of  the  most  im 
portant  places  in  the  union,  is  auspicious  of  happy 
consequences ;  not  satisfied  with  previous  knowledge, 
or  second  hand  information,  you  are  anxious  that,  on 
your  part,  nothing  shall  be  wanting  to  promote  the 
commonwealth. 

"  That  a  city,  which  bore  so  conspicuous  a  part  in 
the  national  defence,  should  first  be  honoured  with 
the  presence  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  union,  is 


THE  PRESIDENT'S 

as  flattering  as  it  is  national :  and 
that  your  observation  of  our  position,  and  means" 
defence,  may  enable  us  before  another  war  to  bid 
defiance  to  any  enemy. 

"  When,  sir,  we  review  your  long-tried,  faithful, 
and  able  services;  when  we  consider  the  increasing 
harmony  and  concord  of  the  United  States ;  when 
almost  universal  peace  reigns  among  the  nations; 
we  augur  great  and  lasting  happiness  to  the  United 
States,  in  giving  full  scope  to  the  developement  of 
her  faculties  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  in  agriculture, 
manufactures,  and  commerce;  and  in  the  permanent 
exhibition  of  the  advantages  of  a  form  of  civil  and 
political  government,  superior  to  any  that  has  hither 
to  existed. 

"  To  our  fellow  citizens,  it  is  a  most  interesting 
spectacle,  to  see  the  chief  magistrate  of  this  great  and 
powerful  nation,  making  an  official  tour  through 
their  country  in  the  style  of  a  private  citizen,  guard 
ed  only  by  the  respect  paid  to  the  high  station  he 
occupies,  and  the  affections  of  a  virtuous  people. 

"  We,,  sir,  wish  you,  in  the  sincerity  of  our  hearts, 
a  pleasant  tour  through  the  states ;  a  happy  return  to 
Washington ;  a  reputation  and  satisfaction  in  your 
presidency,  equal  to  any  of  your  predecessors ;  and 
finally,  the  reward  of  a  well  spent  life  in  an  eternal 
world. 

"  We  are,  sir,  with  sentiments  of  very  great  re 
spect,  your  obedient  servants, 

"  GEORGE  STILES, 
"  Mayor  of  the  City  of  Baltimore." 
B  2 


i8  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

To  which  address  this  answer  was  made  by  the 
President : 

"  To  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  oj  Baltimore: 

"Fellow  citizens — The  sentiments  which  you  have 
communicated,  have  afforded  me  very  great  satis 
faction.  They  are  just,  as  to  the  objects  adverted 
to,  and  to  me,  they  are  generous  and  kind. 

"  It  was  impossible  for  me  to  approach  Baltimore, 
without  recollecting,  with  deep  interest,  the  gallant 
conduct  of  her  citizens,  in  the  late  war,  and  the 
happy  results  attending  their  exertions.  The  glori 
ous  victory  which  was  achieved  by  her,  and  in  which 
her  citizens  bore  so  distinguished  a  part,  at  a  very 
important  epoch,  not  only  protected  this  patriotic 
city,  but  shed  great  lustre  on  the  American  name. 

66  Experience  has  shown  us  our  dangers,  and  ad 
monished  us  as  to  the  means  of  averting  them.  Con 
gress  has  appropriated  large  sums  of  money,  for  the 
fortification  of  our  coast,  and  inland  frontier,  and 
for  the  establishment  of  naval  dock  yards,  and  for 
building  a  navy.  It  is  proper  that  those  works 
should  be  executed  with  judgment,  fidelity,  and  eco 
nomy  ;  much  depends  in  the  execution,  on  the  execu 
tive  ;  to  whom  extensive  power  is  given,  as  to  the 
general  arrangement,  and  to  whom  the  superintend- 
ance  exclusively  belongs.  You  do  me  justice  in  be 
lieving,  that  it  is  to  enable  me  to  discharge  these 
duties  with  the  best  advantage  to  my  country,  that  i 
have  undertaken  this  tour. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  ly 

"  From  the  increased  harmony  of  puhlic  opinion, 
founded  on  the  successful  career  of  a  government, 
which  has  never  been  equalled,  and  which  promises, 
hy  a  further  developement  of  its  faculties,  to  augment 
in  an  eminent  degree,  the  blessings  of  this  favoured 
people,  I  jinite  with  you  in  all  the  anticipations  which 
you  have  sj)  justly  suggested. 

"  In  performing  services,  honestly  and  zealously 
intended  for  the  benefit  of  my  fellow  citizens,  I  shall 
never  entertain  a  doubt  of  their  generous  and  firm 
support.  Incapable  of  any  feelings  distinct  from 
those  of  a  citizen,  I  can  assume  no  style,  in  regard 
to  them,  different  from  that  character;  and  it  is  a 
source  of  peculiar  delight  to  me,  to  know,  that  while 
the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States,  acts  fully 
up  to  this  principle,  he  will  require  no  other  guard 
than  what  may  be  derived  from  their  confidence  and 
affection. 

"  JAMES  MONROE. 

"  Baltimore,  June  2d,  1817." 

After  this  ceremony,  in  his  own  name,  and  in  the 
name  of  the  corporation,  the  mayor  cordially  in 
vited  the  President  to  a  public  dinner,  the  acceptance 
of  which,  in  consequence  of  his  previous  arrange 
ments,  and  from  motives  of  public  concern,  he  felt 
himself  obliged  to  forego. 

At  eleven  o'clock  of  the  same  day,  and  attended 
by  the  same  ofiicers  who  had  conducted  him  to  the 
Point,  he  proceeded  to  the  examination  of  the  arma 
ment  and  garrison  of  FORT  M'HEIVRY,  which  had 


20  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

gallantly  withstood  the  bombardment  of  the  enemy, 
upwards  of  twenty -four  hours.  The  batteries  on 
that  occasion,  to  be  sure,  had  been  opened,  but  the 
shot  falling  very  far  short  of  the  assailants,  the 
firing,  from  the  fort,  ceased,  or  was  maintained,  only 
at  intervals,  to  show  that  the  garrison  had, not  sunk 
under  the  tremendous  showers  of  rockets  ^and  shells, 
incessantly  thrown  into  the  batteries ;  and  thus  pain 
fully  situated,  without  the  power  of  retaliating  the 
attack,  the  brave  and  determined  soldiers  endured 
their  mortification,  with  an  unyielding  spirit,  dur 
ing  the  whole  bombardment,  which  continued  un 
til  seven  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  the  fourteenth. 
One  of  the  late  papers  of  that  city  observes :  "  Had 
colonel  Armistead,  who  was  then,  and  is  now  the 
commanding  officer  of  the  fort,  been  told  in  the  year 
1814,  that  in  the  year  1817,  he  would  have  witness 
ed  on  that  very  spot,  then  shaken  by  the  exploding 
thunders  of  the  enemy's  fleet,  the  presence  of  the 
chief  magistrate,  congratulating  him  on  the  issue 
of  that  event,  how  exhilarating  would  then  have 
been  his  sensations." 

On  entering  the  fort  the  President  was  received 
with  a  federal  salute,  and  after  finishing  his  exami 
nation  of  its  condition,  he  was  escorted  to  Whet 
stone  Point,  where  the  third  brigade  of  Maryland 
militia,  under  general  Sterrett,  formerly  of  the  5th 
regiment,  had  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  being 
reviewed.  The  field  was  covered  with  people  of 
every  rank,  among  whom  the  appearance  of  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  £1 

chief  of  the  republic,  produced  general  and  lively 
satisfaction. 

In  the  course  of  the  afternoon  the  President  visited 
the  Washing-ton  Monument,  at  Howard  Park,  and 
the  City  Monument,  at  Washington  Square,  and  at 
five  o'clock  he  received,  at  his  quarters,  the  personal 
salutations  of  the  officers  of  general  Sterrett's  bri- 
gade. 

The  President,  after  experiencing  these  warm  and 
patriotic  attentions,  departed  from  Baltimore  at  se 
ven  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Tuesday,  the  4th  of 
June,  in  one  of  the  steam  hoats  which  had  been 
chartered,  by  the  corporation,  for  his  exclusive  use 
and  accommodation,  and  to  which  he  was  accompa 
nied  by  the  municipal  authorities  of  the  city. 

In  the  evening  of  that  day  he  arrived  at  Newcas 
tle,  on  the  Delaware,  where  he  was  met  by  commo 
dore  Murray,  and  captain  Stewart,  of  the  Franklin 
74,  and  a  number  of  other  officers  and  citizens.  The 
following  day  (Wednesday)  he  was  occupied  in  visit 
ing  the  Pea  Patch,  and  other  points  of  contemplated 
military  and  naval  defence,  and  receiving  from  the 
citizens  of  the  state  of  Delaware  every  demonstra 
tion  of  respect. 

Suitable  arrangements  had  previously  been  made 
by  the  naval,  military,  and  civil  authorities  at  Phi 
ladelphia,  to  receive  him  with  all  proper  marks  of 
distinction;  and  the  barge  of  the  Franklin,  properly 
decorated,  and  manned  by  sixteen  expert  seamen, 
handsomely  arrayed  in  uniform,  was  in  attendance 
at  Fort  Mifflin,  to  convey  him  from  that  garrison  to 


22  A  NAKRATIVE  OF 

the  city.  Early  on  the  morning  of  Thursday  the 
6th,  the  President  landed  at  Fort  Miffiin,  where  lie 
Was  received  by  colonel  Moses  Porter*  the  military 
commander  of  the  district,  under  a  national  salute, 
and  having  finished  the  inspection  of  the  fort,  lie 
was  immediately  conducted  to  the  barge,  and  ac 
companied  by  his  suite,  (General  Swift  of  the  United 
States  engineers,  and  his  secretary,  Mr.  Mason,)  and 
the  officers  already  mentioned,  he  was  rowed  up  the 
river  Schuylkill,  and  about  three  o'clock  on  the  af 
ternoon  arrived  at  Gray's  ferry,  where  he  was  re 
ceived  by  the  volunteer  cavalry  of  Philadelphia,  and 
a  large  assemblage  of  citizens  on  horseback.  After 
partaking  of  some  refreshment,  he  proceeded  to 
wards  the  city,  along  the  Hamilton  road,  accompa 
nied  by  the  escort.  On  his  arrival  at  High  street 
bridge,  a  federal  salute  was  fired  by  the  company  of 
flying  artillery,  under  captain  Richard  Bache,  and 
on  crossing  he  received  the  honours  due  to  the  com 
mander  in  chief,  from  the  brigade  of  infantry  under 
brigadier-general  Thomas  Cadwallader,  who  had 
himself  attended  the  President  from  Gray's  ferry. 

The  brigade,  which  on  this  occasion  exhibited  an 
unusually  brilliant  appearance,  both  as  to  numbers 
and  equipment,  was  composed  of  a  battalion  of  artil 
lery  under  lieutenant-colonel  A.  M.  Prevost,  captain 
Bache's  company  of  flying  artillery,  a  battalion  of 
infantry  under  colonel  Clement  C.  Biddlc,  and  a  de 
tachment  of  riflemen.  The  cavalry  escort  was  com 
manded  by  captain  William  Rawle,  the  command  of 
whose  company  (the  2d  cavalry,)  devolved  on  lien. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  23 

tenant  John  Hall,  assisted  by  cornet  E.S.  Fuller- 
ton. 

The  whole  of  the  troops  having  been  reviewed  by 
his  excellency,  and  the  line  of  march  being  formed, 
the  procession  entered  the  city  through  the  principal 
streets.  As  they  approached  the  more  populous 
neighbourhoods,  the  crowd  of  spectators  which  had 
been  accumulating  during  his  progress,  became  very 
great,  and  the  windows  of  the  houses,  as  he  passed, 
were  filled  with  the  beauty  and  fashion  of  the  city. 
The  President,  having  alighted  at  the  Mansion  House 
hotel,  was  conducted  by  several  distinguished  citi 
zens,  to  the  apartments  prepared  for  his  reception, 
where  he  was  immediately  waited  upon  by  the  offi- 
rers  of  tiif  first  brigade  of  Pennsylvania  militia,  as 
also  by  the  officers  of  the  brigade  which  had  escort 
ed  him. 

On  the  following  morning,  at  six  o'clock,  the  Pre 
sident,  accompanied  by  his  ^sllite,  visited  the  Aca 
demy  of  Fine  Arts;  and  after  having  breakfasted, 
he  was  waited  upon  by  Robert  Wharton,  esq.  mayor, 
Joseph  Reed,  esq.  recorder,  and  the  presidents  of  the 
select  and  common  councils,  who,  after  expressing 
their  warmest  congratulations  on  his  arrival  in  the 
city,  and  their  regret,  that  his  short  stay  would 
preclude  their  rendering  him  further  civilities,  ac 
companied  him  through  the  public  prison,  with  the 
economy  and  discipline  of  which,  he  expressed  much 
satisfaction.  He  then  visited  the  Pennsylvania  Hos 
pital,  Peak's  Museum,  and  Mr.  Sully's  Gallery  of 
Pictures. 


£4  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

About  ten  o'clock  he  was  received  at  the  navy 
yard.  On  his  arrival  on  hoard  the  Franklin  seventy- 
four,  a  federal  salute  was  fired  from  that  vessel,  and 
at  his  departure  the  salute  was  repeated.  A  large 
number  of  citizens  were  invited  on  board  by  cap 
tain  Stewart,  who  had  an  elegant  collation  pre 
pared  for  his  distinguished  guest,  and  the  company. 

When  the  President  returned  to  his  quarters,  the 
officers  of  the  Cincinnati  presented  to  him  the  fol 
lowing  address : 

"  To  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 

66  Sir — Embracing  the  occasion  which  your  atten 
tion,  as  chief  magistrate,  to  the  military  defences  of 
the  United  States  has  afforded,  it  is  with  peculiar 
pleasure  that  the  members  of  the  Pennsylvania  So 
ciety  of  Cincinnati,  a  portion  of  the  surviving  few, 
who  were  your  associates  in  arms  during  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  approach  to  renew  their  personal 
intercourse,  and  to  assure  you  of  their  cordial  sup 
port  of  the  firm  and  impartial  administration  of  the 
government,  which  by  combining  in  its  measures, 
domestic  tranquillity,  with  the  respect  of  foreign 
nations,  they  confidently  anticipate,  will  promote 
the  best  interests  of  the  United  States,  and  insure 
to  our  citizens,  the  advantages  of  social  harmony 
and  individual  happiness. 

"  That  you  may  participate  those  blessings,  and 
enjoy  the  grateful  esteem  of  a  happy  people,  is  a 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  £3 

sincere  wish  of  your  faithful  friends  and  respectful 
fellow  citizens. 

"  Signed  by  order,  and  by  the  unanimous  vote  of 
the  society, 

"  D.  LENOX,  President. 

"  HORACE  BINNEY,  Secretary. 

(t  Philadelphia,  June  6,  1817," 

To  this  address  the  President  answered : 

«  To  the  Members  of  the  Pennsylvania  Society  of  the 
Cincinnati. 

"  Fellow  Citizens — In  attending  to  the  military  and 
naval  defence  of  the  United  States,  nothing  can  be 
more  gratifying  to  me,  than  to  meet  the  surviving 
members  of  my  associates  in  arms,  who  distinguish 
ed  themselves  in  our  revolutionary  contest.  I  can 
never  forget  the  dangers  of  that  great  epoch,  nor  be 
indifferent  to  the  merits  of  those  who  partook  in 
them. 

"  To  promote  tranquillity  at  home,  and  respect 
abroad,  by  a  firm  and  impartial  administration,  are 
among  the  highest  duties  of  the  chief  magistrate  of 
the  United  States.  To  acquit  myself  in  the  dis 
charge  of  these  duties,  with  advantage  to  my  felJow 
citizens,  will  be  the  undeviating  object  of  my  zealous 


26  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

exertions.     Their  approbation  will  be  the  highest 
recompense  which  I  can  receive. 

"JAMES  MONROE. 

"Philadelphia,  June  6,  1817." 

A  meeting  had  been  previously  called  of  the  civil 
officers  of  the  general  and  state  governments,  at  the 
United  States  district  court  room,  on  the  5th  of 
June,  at  twelve  o'clock,  noon ;  at  which  John  Steele, 
esq.  collector  of  the  port  of  Philadelphia,  was  ap 
pointed  chairman,  and  Peter  A.  Browne,  esq.  secre 
tary.  A  report  was  presented  by  the  committee  of 
arrangements  appointed  at  a  prev ious  meeting,  in 
which  they  recommended  the  formation  of  a  com 
mittee,  to  consist  of  seven  United  States'  officers, 
and  seven  state  officers,  to  wait  on  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  and  to  tender  him  the  congratu 
lations  of  this  meeting,  on  his  visit  to  the  city  of 
Philadelphia.  A  motion  was  accordingly  made  and 
seconded,  and  it  was  unanimously  resolved,  that  such 
a  committee  should  be  appointed.  The  following 
named  gentlemen  were  selected. — John  Steele,  Ro 
bert  Patterson,  David  Caldwell,  William  Duncan, 
William  Jones,  and  James  Glentworth,  esquires, 
and  Dr.  John  White;  United  States'  officers. 

Joseph  B.  M'Kean9  John  Goodman,  Thomas 
Truxtun,  Joseph  Reed,  Timothy  Matlack,  Jacob 
Rush,  and  Peter  A.  Browne,  esquires;  state  officers. 

It  was  also  moved,  that  Thomas  M*Kean,  esq. 
late  governor  of  the  commonwealth,  should  be  added 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  27 

to  the  committee ;  but,  it  being  ascertained  that  a  se 
vere  indisposition  would  prevent  Mr.  M'Kean  from 
leaving  his  house,  his  name  was  for  that  reason  with 
drawn,  though  it  was  immediately  and  unanimously 
resolved  that  it  should  appear  on  the  minutes. 

In  conformity  with  these  resolutions,  the  commit 
tee  waited  upon  the  President,  and  acquainted  him 
with  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting. 

Among  other  objects  of  the  President's  inspection, 
during  his  stay  in  this  city,  were  the  Custom  House, 
the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  and  the  vacant  ground 
at  the  Drawbridge,  proposed  as  the  scite  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  Custom  House.  He  had  taken  an 
opportunity  also,  to  visit  the  late  governor  M'Kean, 
Mr.  Thomas  Willing,  and  the  widow  of  Robert 
Morris,  esq.  whose  eminent  financial  services,  du 
ring  the  revolutionary  war,  still  live  in  the  memory 
of  his  survivors. 


»8  A  NARRATIVE  01 


CHAPTER  II 


The  President  leaves  Philadelphia  and  arrives  at 
Trenton — reflections  on  his  insit  there — addressed 
by  the  recorder — proceeds  to  New  Brunswick'— to 
Elizdbethtown  Point — arrives  at  the  seat  of  the 
Vice-President  on  Staten  Island — New  York — re 
solutions  of  the  Common  Council — address  of  the 
Corporation — of 'the  Cincinnati — ^-visits  Castle  Wil 
liams,  the  fort  at  Bedlow's  Island)  and  Brooklyn 
Heights — inducted  into  the  New  Fork  Institute — 
address  of  Mr.  Clinton. 

HAVING  first  visited  the  Mint  of  the  United  States, 
on  Saturday  the  7th  inst.  the  President  left  Philadel 
phia,  and  accompanied  by  general  Swift,  Mr.  Charles 
J.  Ingersoll,  the  district  attorney  for  Pennsylvania, 
and  his  private  secretary,  Mr.  Mason,  proceeded  on 
his  route  towards  Trenton,  the  capital  of  New-Jer 
sey,  and  the  scene  of  his  own  individual  gallantry,  in 
the  memorable  attack,  made  by  general  Washington, 
at  that  place,  upon  the  Hessians  under  colonel  Rahl, 
on  the  25th  and  26th  of  December  1776.  He  reach 
ed  the  bridge,  which  crosses  the  Delaware  below 
that  city,  sometime  after  sunset,  and,  his  approach 
having  been  anticipated,  he  was  received  there  by  tbo 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  29 

municipal  authorities,  attended  by  a  large  concourse 
of  citizens,  and  the  volunteer  troops  of  Trenton,  un 
der  the  command  of  captain  Rossell.  Approximating 
the  ground  upon  which  he  had  bled  in  the  defence  of 
his  country,  .at  a  brilliant  epoch  of  the  revolution, 
the  feelings  wittf  which  the  President  must  have  been 
inspired,  may  readily  be  conceived.  To  the  success 
ful  result  of  the  battle  of  Trenton,  he  had  greatly 
contributed,  in  the  capacity  of  a  lieutenant,  at  a  six 
gun  battery;  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoul 
der,  in  a  charge  afterwards  made  upon  the  enemy's 
artillerists,  -in  which  they  were  driven  from  their 
post,  with  the  loss  of  two  pieces.  With  this  wound 
he  was  confined  upwards  of  two  months,  at  the  man 
sion  of  Judge  Wynkoop,  in  Bucks  county  (Penn 
sylvania),  at  an  inconsiderable  distance  from  the 
scene  of  action.  Forty  years  had  elapsed  since  the 
period  of  that  important  and  memorable  event,  and 
the  subaltern  officer,  who  was  then  distinguished  by 
his  active  patriotism,  now  approached  the  theatre  of 
his  youthful  enterprise,  as  the  head  of  the  nation, 
whose  independence  he  had  contributed  to  establish. 
His  arrival  was  announced  by  the  ringing  of  bells, 
and  the  discharge  of  a  piece  of  field  artillery,  under 
the  direction  of  captain  Yard.  From  the  bridge  he 
was  conducted  by  the  military  escort,  to  his  quarters, 
in  the  city,  in  front  of  which  &fuc-de-joie  was  fired. 
The  civil  authorities  having  soon  after  called,  to  offer 
their  respects,  the  honourable  Mr.  M'Neely,  mayor, 
and  Charles  Ewing,  esq.  recorder  of  the  city,  and 
aldermen  Broadhurst,  Taylor,  and  Smith,  were 
c  2 


30  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

presented  to  the  President,  when  the  recorder  de 
livered  the  following  extemporaneous  address. 

"  Sir — The  mayor  and  city  council,  and  through 
us  the  citizens  of  Trenton,  present  to^you  their  most 
unfeigned  respects ;  congratulate  ydu  on  your  arri 
val  ;  and  give  you  a  most  cordial  welcome  to  this  city, 
the  scene,  sir,  of  some  of  the  services  you  have  ren 
dered  our  country.  We  most  sincerely  wish  you  the 
enjoyment  of  health,  a  long  life,  and  a  prosperous 
administration." 

To  which  Mr.  Monroe  immediately  replied : — 
"  That  he  felt  very  sensibly,  the  kind  attention  on 
the  part  of  the  authorities  of  the  city  of  Trenton; 
the  place  were  the  hopes  of  the  country  were  revived, 
in  the  war  of  the  revolution,  hy  a  signal  victory  ob- 
tained  by  the  troops  under  the  command  of  general 
Washington,  after  a  severe  and  disastrous  campaign. 
That  lie  was  well  acquainted  with  the  patriotism  of 
the  citizens  of  Trenton,  and  indeed  of  Jersey,  for 
none  suffered  more,  or  displayed  greater  patriotism, 
in  our  revolutionary  contest."  He  concluded,  "  I 
beg  you  to  accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  continued 
prosperity  and  happiness." 

The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  occupied,  in 
receiving  the  congratulatory  visits  of  the  most  dis 
tinguished  citizens,  and  several  public  officers, 
among  whom  was  captain  Charles  Stewart  of  the 
navy.  On  the  following  morning,  Sunday,  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  31 

President,  accompanied  by  his  suite,  attended  divine 
service,  at  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house. 

On  Monday,  the  9th,  he  left  Trenton,  escort 
ed  by  the  light  infantry,  and  two  troops  of  horse 
from  the  neighbourhood,  under  captains  Smith 
and  Ho  well,  v.rho  proceeded  with  him  several  miles 
on  his  route.  As  he  approached  New  Brunswick, 
he  was  met  by  a  committee  of  citizens,  at  the  head 
of  which  was  chief  justice  Kirkpatrick,  and  by  seve 
ral  companies  of  military,  by  whom  he  was  attended 
into  the  town.  On  his  arrival  at  the  inn,  where  the 
procession  halted,  the  chief  justice  presented,  in  a 
short  address,  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens 
of  New  Brunswick,  upon  his  arrival  among  them, 
and  assured  him  of  their  best  wishes,  for  his  per 
sonal  welfare,  and  the  successful  execution  of  the 
important  trust  confided  to  him,  as  the  chief  magis 
trate  of  the  nation. 

After  remaining  a  short  time,  the  President  pur 
sued  his  route,  still  attended  by  the  military,  and 
accompanied  by  governor  Williamson,  and  some 
gentlemen  from  Elizabethtown,  who  met  him  at 
New  Brunswick.  He  arrived  the  same  day  at  Eli 
zabethtown  Point,  whence  he  passed  to  Staten  Island, 
in  the  steam  boat  Atalanta,  and  at  half  past  six 
o'clock  reached  the  seat  of  vice-president  Tompkins. 
The  revenue  cutter  Active,  under  captain  Cahoone, 
fired  a  salute  on  the  occasion,  which  was  immediate 
ly  succeeded  by  two  salutes  from  the  batteries  at  the 
Narrows.  From  the  rapidity  with  which  his  excel 
lency  had  hitherto  travelled,  he  was  much  fatigued 


32  A  NARRATIVE  OP 

and  exhausted,  and  accordingly  he  spent  the  whole 
of  the  following  day  at  the  vice-president's  residence, 
in  a  private  manner. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  1 1th,  the 
steam  boat  Richmond,  captain  Bartholomew,  hav-* 
ing  on  board  a  committee  of  the  corporation,  con 
sisting  of  aldermen  Smith,  Barkett,  Stevens,  Ark- 
ley  and  Schieffelin,  with  majors -general  Morton  and 
Mapes,  and  their  suites,  proceeded  to  Staten  Island, 
for  the  purpose  of  conveying  the  President  to  New 
York.  At  ten  o'clock,  accompanied  by  the  vice- 
president,  general  Swift,  his  secretary,  and  cap 
tains  Evans  and  Biddle,  of  the  United  States 
navy,  he  embarked  under  a  salute  from  the  United 
States  brig  Saranac.  With  this  vessel,  and  the  re 
venue  cutter  before  mentioned,  in  attendance,  the 
Richmond  made  sail  for  New  York,  and  upon  pass 
ing  Castle  Williams,  a  national  salute  was  fired  from 
that  fort.  The  Richmond  anchored  off  the  West 
Battery  about  twelve  o'clock,  and  a  barge,  hand 
somely  decorated  for  the  occasion,  was  despatched 
to  convey  the  company  on  shore.  When  his  excel 
lency  landed,  a  number  of  official  characters  offered 
him  their  salutations.  Horses  having  been  provided, 
he  then  passed  in  review,  attended  by  major-general 
Scott,  and  the  military  and  naval  officers,  along  a 
splendid  line  of  military,  composed  of  major-general 
Morton's  division  of  artillery,  and  commanded  by 
brigadier-general  Stevens.  When  the  review  was 
ended,  the  President,  escorted  by  colonel  Werner's 
regiment  of  cavalry,  together  with  the  artillery,  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  S3 

Governor's  Guards,  and  another  company  of  cavalry 
from  Brooklyn,  moved  through  Broadway  to  the 
City  Hall,  where  he  alighted,  and  received  a  march 
ing  salute. 

The  novelty  of  such  an  event,  as  a  visit  from  a 
President  of  the  United  States,  drew  together  an  im 
mense  concourse  of  spectators,  to  behold  his  public 
entry.  From  the  Battery  to  the  Park,  the  houses 
along  Broadway  were  crowded,  and  the  entire  mul 
titude  of  people  assembled,  was  supposed  to  exceed 
twenty  thousand.  The  appearance  and  vivacity  of 
the  troops  were  such  as  to  do  them  honour,  and 
greatly  contributed  to  the  animation  of  the  scene. 

Some  days  before  the  arrival  of  the  President,  a 
meeting  had  been  held  of  the  common  council  of  the 
city  of  New  York,  at  which  the  following  resolutions, 
being  presented  by  alderman  SMITH,  were  unani 
mously  agreed  to : 

"  Information  being  received  that  the  President 
of  the  United  States  will  arrive  in  this  city  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  and  the  common  council,  feel 
ing  themselves  called  on  by  a  sense  of  duty,  to  pay 
every  respect  to  the  exalted  station  which  he  fills ; 
and  being  also  desirous  of  testifying  the  high  sense 
which  they  entertain  of  his  private  and  public  worth ; 
therefore, 

"  Resolved,  That  on  the  President's  arrival  in  this 
city,  the  common  council  will  assemble  in  their  cham 
ber,  and,  with  their  proper  officers,  will  wait  on  his 
excellency,  at  such  time  as  he  slmil  appoint;  that  his 


34  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

honour  the  mayor,  be  requested  then,  on  behalf  of 
this  corporation,  and  of  the  citizens  in  general,  to 
tender  him  our  congratulations  on  his  arrival;  to 
testify  to  him  the  high  respect,  which  the  citizens  of 
this  place  entertain  for  his  public  and  private  vir 
tues;  and  to  express  to  him  as  our  sincere  and  ar 
dent  wish,  that  a  gracious  Providence  may  make  him 
its  peculiar  care,  and  to  its  other  blessings,  may  add 
that  of  witnessing  the  increasing  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  our  beloved  country. 

«  Resolved9  That  his  excellency  be  requested  to  ho 
nour  this  corporation,  by  sitting  for  his  portrait,  to 
be  placed  in  the  gallery  of  portraits  belonging  to  the 
common  council. 

"  Resolred,  That  his  excellency  be  respectfully  in 
vited  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner,  to  be  provided 
under  the  direction  of  the  committee  of  arrange 
ment." 

Agreeably  to  these  resolutions,  J.  Radcliff,  esq. 
mayor,  and  the  members  of  the  common  council, 
presented  their  congratulations  to  tbe  President,  im 
mediately  after  he  was  shown  into  the  apartment, 
appropriated  to  his  use,  in  the  upper  story  of  the 
City  Hall,  in  the  following 

ADDRESS. 

"  Sir — The  mayor,  aldermen,  and  commonalty  of 
the  city  of  New  York,  beg  leave  to  present  to  you 
their  sincere  congratulations  on  your  arrival  in  this 
rity.  \ 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  35 

"  It  is  with  pride  and  pleasure,  that  they  see 
amongst  them  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  in 
the  capacity  of  a  private  citizen,  reposing  himself, 
with  just  confidence,  in.  the  affections  of  a  generous 
people ;  and  are  happy  to  embrace  this  opportunity, 
on  behalf  of  themselves  and  their  fellow  citizens,  to 
express  to  him  the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  his 
private  virtues  and  public  services. 

6i  Called  by  the  voice  oft  a  nation  of  freemen  to  the 
first  office  in  their  power  to  bestow,  you  can  possess 
no  higher  evidence  of  their  approbation  of  your  past 
conduct,  and  of  their  confidence  in  the  able  and  faith 
ful  discharge  of  the  important  duties  assigned  to 
your  present  station.  Nothing  can  add  to  the  force 
of  this  testimony,  founded  as  it  is,  with  uncommon 
unanimity,  on  the  sense  of  a  free  and  enlightened 
people. 

"  We  learn,  with  great  satisfaction,  that  your 
present  tour  is  connected  with  the  object  of  carrying 
into  effect,  the  measures  of  general  defence,  proposed 
by  the  congress  of  the  United  States,  and  that  you 
have  deemed  them  of  sufficient  importance  to  merit 
your  personal  attention.  On  this  subject  permit  us 
to  say,  that  our  citizens  feel  a  deep  and  lively  inte 
rest.  This  state,  from  its  local  situation,  and  exte 
rior  frontier,  is  peculiarly  subject  to  become  the  thea 
tre  of  war ;  and  the  city  of  New  York,  whilst  it 
affords  the  strongest  temptation,  is  much  exposed, 
from  its  natural  position,  to  the  attempts  of  a  foreign 
enemy ;  although,  in  the  late  contest,  it  has  not  ac- 


36  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

tually  been  assailed,  we  presume  it  may,  without  ar 
rogance,  be  said,  that  the  extraordinary  and  spirited 
exertions  of  our  citizens,  powerfully  supported  by 
the  patriotic  efforts  of  the  people  of  this,  and  a  neigh 
bouring  state,  taught  the  enemy  to  believe,  that  such 
an  attempt  could  not  be  made  with  impunity.  The 
wisdom  of  our  government  is  displayed  by  the  mea 
sures  now  undertaken,  to  provide,  in  time  of  peace, 
the  security  required  in  war ;  and  we  feel  the  highest 
confidence,  that  under  your  auspices,  that  security 
will  be  afforded  for  every  future  emergency.  The 
present  happy  condition  of  our  country,  in  general, 
demands  our  highest  gratitude  to  the  supreme  Ruler 
of  events,  and  opens  to  our  view,  great  and  interest 
ing  prospects.  In  a  state  of  profound  peace,  after  a 
conflict  in  which  the  rights  of  the  nation  have  been 
exalted,  we  see  a  great  people,  united  among  them 
selves ;  devoted  to  a  government  of  their  choice;  pos 
sessing  a  country  as  fertile  as  it  is  extensive ;  evin 
cing  a  spirit  of  enterprise,  in  the  various  employ 
ments  of  agriculture,  commerce  and  manufactures; 
ardent  in  the  pursuit  of  science,  and  in  cultivating 
the  arts  which  adorn  civilised  society ;  and  advancing 
in  population,  power  and  wealth,  with  a  rapidity 
hitherto  unexampled ; — the  destinies  of  such  a  peo 
ple,  with  the  blessings  of  Providence,  cannot  be  an 
ticipated,  and  defy  calculation. 

"  It  is  your  happiness,  sir,  to  have  commenced 
your  administration,  at  a  period  thus  propitious  and 
interesting ;  and  we  have  no  doubt  it  will  be  your 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  37 

great  ambition,  to  bestow  on  these  important  objects, 
all  the  patronage  in  your  power,  and  justify  the  high 
expectations  which  have  been  formed. 

"  That  the  pleasing  prospects  we  have  indulged, 
may  be  happily  realized,  and  that  your  administra 
tion  may,  in  all  respects,  effectually  promote  the  best 
interests  of  the  United  States,  and  that  you  may  long 
live  to  witness  the  prosperity  of  your  country,  and 
enjoy  the  esteem  of  *.  virtuous  people,  is  the  ardent 
wish  of  those,  on  whose  behalf  I  have  the  honour  to 
address  you. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  corporation  of  the  city,  I  have 
the  honour  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the  highest  es 
teem,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  J.  RADCLIFF." 

To  this  appropriate  address,  in  which  the  princi 
pal  objects  of  the  tour  were  brought  into  view,  the 
President  made  the  subjoined  reply. 

*•'  To  the  Mayor,  Jtidermen,  and  Commonalty,  of  the 
City  of  New  Fork. 

"Fellow  Citizens — In  performing  a  duty, enjoined 
on  me  by  the  constitution  and  laws  of  the  United 
States,  I  cannot  express  the  satisfaction,  which  I  de 
rive  from  the  intercourse  to  which  it  leads,  with  so 
many  of  my  fellow  citizens ;  and  from  the  opportu 
nity  it  affords  to  behold,  in  person,  the  blessings 
which  an  all-gracious  providence  has  bestowed  upon 
them. 

D 


38  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

« 111  executing  the  laws  which  congress  have  wise 
ly  adopted,  for  the  national  defence,  the  Atlantic  and 
inland  frontiers  of  this  state,  by  their  exposed  situa 
tion,  are  entitled  to  particular  attention.  I  am  aware, 
too,  that  this  populous  and  flourishing  city,  presents, 
in  time  of  war,  a  strong  temptation  to  the  cupidity 
of  an  invading  foe.  It  is  in  the  spirit  of  the  laws 
which  I  am  called  to  execute;  it  is  in  the  spirit  of 
the  people,  whom  I  represent,  to  provide  amply  for 
the  security  of  every  part,  according  to  the  danger 
to  which  it  is  exposed.  In  performing  this  duty,  I 
shall  endeavour  to  he  their  faithful  organ. 

"  The  present  prosperous  condition  of  our  coun 
try  is,  as  you  justly  observe,  the  best  proof  of  the 
excellence  of  our  institutions,  and  of  the  wisdom 
with  which  they  have  been  administered. 

"It  affords,  too,  a  solid  ground,  on  which  to  in 
dulge  the  most  favourable  anticipations  as  to  the  fu 
ture.  An  enlightened  people,  educated  in  the  prin 
ciples  of  liberty,  and  blessed  with  a  free  government, 
bold,  vigorous,  and  enterprising,  in  the  pursuit  of 
every  just  and  honourable  attainment;  united  by  the 
strong  ties  of  a  common  origin,  of  interest  and  af 
fection;  possessed  of  a  vast  and  fertile  territory; 
improving  in  agriculture,  in  the  arts,  and  manufac 
tures;  extending  their  commerce  to  every  sea;  al 
ready  powerful,  and  rapidly  increasing  in  population, 
have  every  inducement,  and  every  means,  whereby 
to  perpetuate  these  blessings  to  the  latest  posterity. 

"  The  honourable  termination  of  the  late  v/ar, 
whereby  the  rights  of  the  nation  were  vindicated, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  39 

should  not  lull  us  into  repose ;  the  events  attending 
it,  show  our  vulnerable  points,  and  it  is  in  time  of 
peace  that  we  ought  to  provide,  by  strong  works,, 
for  their  defence.  The  gallantry  and  good  conduct 
of  our  army,  navy,  and  militia,  and  the  patriotism 
of  our  citizens  generally,  so  conspicuously  display 
ed  in  that  war,  may  always  be  relied  on.  Aided  by 
such  works,  our  frontiers  will  be  impregnable. 

"  Devoted  to  the  principles  of  our  government, 
from  my  earliest  youth ;  and  satisfied  that  the  great 
blessings  which  we  enjoy,  are,  under  divine  provi 
dence,  imputable  to  that  great  cause,  it  will  be  the 
object  of  my  constant  and  zealous  efforts,  to  give  to 
those  principles  their  best  effect.  Should  I,  by  these 
efforts,  contribute  in  any  degree  to  the  happiness  of 
my  fellow  citizens,  I  shall  derive  from  it,  the  high 
est  gratification  of  which  my  mind  is  susceptible. 

"  JAMES  MONROE/* 

When  the  ceremony  with  the  municipal  officers 
had  been  concluded,  the  Society  of  the  Cincinnati 
was  introduced  to  the  President,  and  the  following 
address  was  presented  by  one  of  its  principal  mem 
bers. 

"  To  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sir— The  New  York  Society  of  Cincinnati,  take 
this  opportunity,  when  your  important  duties  as  chief 
magistrate  of  the  United  States,  have  procured  for 
this  city,  the  honour  of  a  visit,"  to  present  to  you  the 


40  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

assurances  of  their  respect,  and  of  their  cordial  dis 
position  to  support,  with  all  their  power,  the  mea 
sures  which  the  wisdom  of  the  government  shall 
adopt,  to  promote  the  honour  and  welfare  of  our  be 
loved  country. 

"  Your  presence,  sir,  recals  those  patriotic  emo 
tions,  in  which  the  Society  of  Cincinnati  originated ; 
and  as  a  distinguished  individual  among  the  officers 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  of  which  the  society  was 
composed,  you  are  associated  with  the  pleasing  re 
collections,  which  we  cherish,  of  the  result  of  that 
ardent  struggle. 

66  We  beg  you  to  accept  our  sincere  wishes  for 
your  personal  happiness,  and  the  assurance  of  our 
high  esteem  and  consideration." 

The  pleasure  with  which  the  President  received 
this  address,  is  indicated  in  his  reply. 

"  To  the  Members  of  the  JVew  York  Society  of 
Cincinnati. 

"  Fellow  Citizens — The  opportunity  which  my 
visit  to  this  city,  in  the  discharge  of  important  pub 
lic  duties,  has  presented,  of  meeting  the  New  York 
Society  of  Cincinnati,  with  many  of  whom  I  was 
well  acquainted  in  our  revolution,  affords  me  heart 
felt  satisfaction.  It  is  impossible  to  meet  any  of 
those  patriotic  citizens,  whose  valuable  services  were 
so  intimately  connected  with  that  great  event,  with 
out  recollections  which  it  is  equally  just  and  honour* 
able  to  cherish. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  41 

"  In  your  support  of  all  proper  measures  for  a 
national  defence,  and  the  advancement  of  the  public 
welfare,  I  have  the  utmost  confidence.  Those  whose 
zeal  and  patriotism,  were  so  fully  tried  in  that  great 
struggle,  will  never  fail  to  rally  to  the  standard  of 
their  country  in  any  emergency. 

"  JAMES  MOXROE." 

The  President  was  then  escorted,  by  the  cavalry, 
to  the  rooms  prepared  for  his  reception,  in  Gibson's 
Hotel,  in  Wall  street,  where  he  dined  in  company 
with  several  eminent  characters.  Among  the  guests 
were,  the  Vice-president  of  the  United  States,  the 
honourable  Dewitt  Clinton,  the  honourable  Rufus 
King,  the  military  officers  and  their  suites,  the  naval 
officers,  General  Ebenezer  Stevens,  colonels  Willett 
and  Platt,  and  major  Fair-lie.  When  general  Ste 
vens  was  presented  to  the  President,  the  latter  re 
marked,  "that  it  gave  him  at  all  times  peculiar 
pleasure,  to  take  an  officer  of  the  war  of  indepen 
dence  by  the  hand." 

Various  transparencies  wrere  exhibited  in  front  of 
the  City  Hall,  the  New  York  Museum,  and  other 
public  buildings,  which  were  also  brilliantly  illumi 
nated  on  the  occasion,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  exte 
rior  decorations  of  the  Theatre,  was  a  splendid  full 
length  portrait  of  the  President. 

Castle  Williams,  on  Governor's  Island,  the  fort 

at  Bedlow's  Island,  and  the  navy  yard,  being  the 

most  prominent  objects  of  the  President's  tour*  upon 

this  station,  his  first  business  on  the  morning  of  the 

D  2 


42  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

12th,  was  to  go  through  the  inspection  of  these  se 
veral  public  works;  in  the  performance  of  which,  he 
was  accompanied  by  ms.jor-general  Scott,  of  the 
United  States  army.  The  customary  salutes  were 
fired  on  his  arrival  at  each  of  these  places.  At  half 
past  one  o'clock,  he  attended  at  the  governor's  room, 
in  the  City  Hall,  where  he  received  the  personal  re 
spects  of  a  great  number  of  citizens,  after  which,  he 
dined  with  his  relation,  Mr.  Knox,  in  Greenwich 
street. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the  Academy  of 
Arts,  the  Hospital,  the  New  Alms-house  at  Bellevue, 
and  other  public  establishments,  underwent  his  exa 
mination.  In  the  evening  he  was  attended  to  the 
Theatre  by  the  members  of  the  corporation. 

The  Literary  and  Philosophical  Society  of  New 
York,  having  elected  Mr.  James  Monroe,  to  a  fel 
lowship,  on  the  evening  of  Wednesday,  the  llth  of 
June,  was  especially  convened,  on  the  following  Fri 
day  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  and  ini 
tiating  him.  Accordingly,  after  having  performed 
his  tour  around  the  fortifications  on  Brooklyn  heights, 
his  excellency  repaired  at  the  appointed  hour  to  the 
New  York  Institute.  Tl\e  several  apartments,  con 
taining  the  exhibitions  of  the  Academy  of  the  Fine 
Arts;  the  Mineralogical  and  Zoological  cabinets; 
the  Historical  collections,  &c.;  were  thrown  open  to 
him,  and  his  suite,  and  his  excellency  Dewitt  Clin 
ton,  president  of  the  Institute,  in  behalf  of  the  so 
ciety,  addressed  him  in  the  following  manner : 

"  Sir — As  it  has  been  the  usage  of  this  society, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S 

to  enrol  among  its  members,  such  charactc 
distinguished  for  their  virtues,  their  intellectual 
powers,  and  their  literary  attainments,  it  affords  me 
great  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  you  have  been 
unanimously  admitted  an  honorary  member ;  the 
highest  honour  in  our  power  to  bestow;  and  it  is 
peculiarly  gratifying  to  find,  that  on  this  occasion, 
the  honour  which  is  conferred  is  reflected  on  the  in 
stitution. 

"  Viewing,  in  the  course  of  your  past  life,  a  cer- 
tain  pledge  of  an  able  and  patriotic  administration, 
we  are  fully  persuaded,  that  you  will  always  keep 
steadily  in  view,  the  great  interests  of  literature  and 
science,  as  inseparably  identified  with  the  honour, 
the  glory,  and  the  prosperity  of  our  country." 

Being  regularly  inducted  into  the  Institute,  the 
President  made  an  extempore  reply,  to  this  flatter 
ing  address,  which  has  been  collected  with  as  much 
accuracy  as  possible,  in  these  words  : 

'•'  Sir — I  cannot  express  the  sensibility  I  feel  on 
this  occasion. 

"  The  high  honour  thus  unanimously  conferred, 
by  the  members  of  this  respectable  institution,  will 
ever  be  cherished  by  me  with  grateful  recollection; 
nor  can  I  but  be  sensible  to  the  flattering  manner  in 
which  you,  sir,  have  communicated  this  expression 
of  their  kindness. 

"  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  and  the  members  of 
this  association,  that  as  far  as  my  influence  may  ex 
tend,  it  shall  be  exerted  in  promoting  the  interests 
of  science  and  literature,  as  among  the  most  efficient 


44  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

means  of  preserving  the  integrity  of  our  republican 
form  of  government,  and  the  honour  of  our  country." 

The  meeting  of  the  Institute  being  adjourned,  the 
President  visited  the  Orphan  Asylum,  the  Peniten 
tiary,  and  the  State  Prison,  and  dined  with  Mrs. 
Governeur,  sister  to  Mrs.  Monroe. 

A  meeting  of  the  American  Society  for  the  En 
couragement  of  American  Manufactures,  was  held 
in  the  evening  of  this  day,  at  the  assembly  room  in 
the  City  Hotel,  the  proceedings  of  which,  as  they 
are  intimately  connected  with  the  President's  tour, 
and  form  a  principal  feature  in  its  course,  and  as  the 
subject  itself  is  one  of  particular  interest  to  all  classes 
of  society,  are  inserted  at  length,  in  the  following 
chapter. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  45 


CHAPTER  III. 


Proceedings  of  the  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of 
American  Manufactures — Introduction  of  the  Pre 
sident — Report  of  the  Corresponding  Committee — 
th°,ir  Address — Election  of  Messrs.  Adams,  Jeffer 
son,  and  Madison — their  Letters — the  President 
proceeds  to  West  Point — returns  to  New  York — 
inspects  the  Forts  at  the  Narrows — visits  Sandy 
Hook — departs  for  New  Haven. 

THE  American  Society  for  the  Encouragement  of 
American  Manufactures,  met  on  Friday  evening,  the 
13th,  at  the  assembly  room  in  the  City  Hotel.  Daniel 
D.  Tompkins,  president  of  the  society,  took  the  chair, 
supported  by  the  vice-presidents,  colonel  Feu,  and 
John  Ferguson  esq.  The  society  being  organized, 
James  Monroe,  president  of  the  United  States,  was 
proposed  as  a  member;  whereon,  the  presiding  offi 
cer  suggested,  that  the  usual  form  of  ballot  be  dis 
pensed  with,  and  that  James  Monroe  be  received 
as  a  member.  A  motion  to  this  eifect  was  then  made 
and  carried  unanimously.  Messrs.  Morris,  Golden, 
and  Pierson,  were  appointed  a  committee,  to  wait  on 
the  president  of  the  United  States,  to  inform  him  of 
his  being  elected,  and  to  solicit  the  honour  of  his 


46  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

attendance  at  the  meeting;  to  which  he  politely  as- 
Rented,  and  being  inducted  by  the  committee,  took 
his  seat  on  the  right  of  the  presiding  officer,  who 
immediately  rose,  and  in  an  extempore  and  eloquent 
address,  assured  his  excellency,  of  the  high  sense 
entertained  by  the  society,  of  the  honour  he  con 
ferred,  by  assenting  to  become  one  of  its  members, 
which  created  a  confidence,  that  he  would  do  all 
which  he  consistently  could,  to  promote  the  views 
with  which  the  society  was  instituted. 

To  which  his  excellency  replied,  with  much  elo 
quence  and  force,  that  he  duly  appreciated  the  ob 
jects  of  the  institution,  which  were  particularly  dear 
to  Mm,  from  their  being  intimately  connected  with 
the  real  independence  of  our  country,  and  closed, 
with  an  assurance  that  he  would  use  his  efforts,  as  far 
as  the  general  interest  of  the  country  would  permit, 
to  promote  the  patriotic  and  laudable  objects  of  the 
society. 

John  Adams,  Thomas  Jefferson,  and  James  Ma 
dison,  were  then  separately  proposed  as  members, 
and  admitted  unanimously,  the  usual  form  of  ballot 
being,  on  motion,  dispensed  with. 

The  corresponding  committee  offered  the  followr- 
ing  report,  with  an  address  from  the  pen  of  C.  D. 
Colden  esq.  which  were  severally  read. 

"  Report  of  the  Corresponding  Committee  of  the  So 
ciety  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Manu 
factures. 

(S  The  corresponding  committee,  elected  in  pursu- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  4? 

ance  of  the  third  article  of  the  constitution,  for  the 
current  year,  respectfully  report: — 

"  That  immediately  after  the  meeting  of  the  so 
ciety,  held  on  the  31st  December,  1816,  they  took  the 
speediest  measures  for  carrying  into  effect  the  reso 
lutions,  respecting  the  printing  and  publishing  the 
address  then  reported  and  adopted.  They  accord 
ingly  caused  to  be  printed  five  thousand  copies ;  one  of 
which  was  transmitted  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  one  to  each  of  the  members  of  congress, 
and  heads  of  departments  of  the  general  govern 
ment,  and  to  the  governors  and  members  of  the  legis 
latures  of  the  states  respectively,  as  far  as  the  same 
was  practicable. 

<f  Your  committee,  in  further  pursuance  of  the 
duties  delegated  to  them,  caused  a  memorial  to  be 
drawn  up  on  behalf  of  the  society,  addressed  to  the 
congress  of  the  United  States,  praying  for  the  per 
manency  of  the  duties  imposed  by  the  tariff:  the 
prohibition  of  cotton  goods,  manufactured  beyond 
the  cape  of  Good  Hope ;  such  revision  and  modifi 
cation  of  the  revenue  laws,  as  might  prevent  smug 
gling,  false  invoices,  and  other  frauds ;  for  a  duty 
of  ten  per  cent,  on  auction  sales,  with  the  exceptions 
therein  stated;  for  a  recommendation  to  the  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy,  and  to  all  civil  officers,  to  be 
clothed  in  American  fabrics ;  that  all  public  supplies 
for  the  army  and  navy  might  be  of  American  manu 
facture;  and  for  such  other  protection  as  might  place 
our  mercantile  and  manufacturing  interests  beyond 
the  reach  of  foreign  influence. 


48  A  NAERATTVE  OF 

"  It  is  with  pleasure  and  gratitude  your  committee 
have  learned,  that  the  war  department,  has  given  an 
entire  preference  to  domestic  manufacture,  and  as 
much,  is  confidently  hoped  from  the  department  of 
the  navy. 

"  Your  committee  elected  a  delegate  to  proceed 
with  the  same  to  the  seat  of  government. 

"  Memorials  of  similar  import,  were  drawn  up  hy 
the  merchants  of  this  city,  and  by  the  citizens  at 
large,  respectively;  and  another  member  of  your 
committee  was  deputed  by  the  merchants,  who  also 
appointed  a  citizen  of  New  York,  then  in  the  city  of 
Washington,  to  co-operate  with  the  delegates  of  this 
society,  and  caused  the  above  named  memorials  to 
be  laid  before  congress,  with  instructions  to  solicit 
and  promote  the  objects  of  them,  by  their  best  en 
deavours. 

«  The  delegates,  on  their  way  to  the  seat  of  gov 
ernment,  took  occasion  to  explain  to  certain  respect 
able  and  influential  citizens  of  Philadelphia  and  Bal 
timore,  the  object,  views,  and  motives  of  this  so 
ciety,  and  the  nature  of  their  mission :  and  had  the 
satisfaction,  during  the  short  period  of  one  day,  in 
each  of  these  cities,  to  witness  the  formation  of  kin 
dred  associations,  whose  proceedings  have  been  long 
since  made  public ;  and  which,  by  their  intelligence, 
patriotism,  capital,  and  character,  have  proved  an 
inappreciable  acquisition  to  the  cause  of  domestic 
industry. 

"  During  their  residence  in  the  city  of  Washing- 
ton,  the  said  delegates,  with  the  aid  and  co-operation 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  49 

of  their  colleague,  made  a  similar,  and  no  less  suc 
cessful  appeal,  to  the  citizens  of  Washington, 
Georgetown,  and  Alexandria;  who,  at  a  meeting 
convened  by  public  notice,  instituted  and  organized 
an  association,  entitled  the  Metropolitan  Society, — 
the  proceedings  of  this  association  have  also  been 
made  public ;  and  their  zeal,  influence,  and  respec 
tability,  have  done  much  in  rousing  the  spirit  of 
inquiry,  and  promoting  the  true  interests  of  their 
country. 

"  The  delegates  were  heard  with  much  attention 
by  the  committee  of  commerce  and  manufactures  of 
the  house  of  representatives,  to  whom  the  above  me 
morials  were  referred,  and  thai  committee  reported 
in  part  by  a  bill,  for  the  continuance  of  the  existing 
duties  upon  importations  as  prayed;  and  referred 
the  other  matters  more  immediately  connected  with 
the  revenue  to  the  secretary  of  the  treasury;  whose 
opinions,  we  think  ourselves  authorized  to  state, 
were  in  unison  with  the  prayer  of  the  memorialists. 
And  although  the  lateness  of  the  session,  and  the 
mass  of  unfinished  business,  prevented  the  immedi 
ate  attainment  of  the  objects  desired,  yet  the  wisest 
and  most  experienced  in  and  out  of  congress,  (the 
enlightened  members  of  the  committee  of  the  house 
included)  were  of  opinion,  that  nothing  would  be  lost 
by  the  delay,  as  every  day  would  offer  new  manifes 
tations  of  the  public  sentiment,  and  the  circum 
stances  of  the  times  be  more  fully  developed,  and 
operate  as  a  law  of  necessity. 

« It  may  be  important  also  to  state  the  friendly 

E 


50  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

intimation  of  the  committee  itself,  that  nothing  would 
more  conduce  to  future  success,  than  an  authentic 
collection  of  facts,  tending  to  show  the  value  of  the 
property  embarked  in  domestic  manufactures,  the 
great  portion  of  which  was  jeopardized  by  the  causes 
set  forth,  and  the  loss  and  irreparable  injury  the 
community  must  suffer  from  neglect,  and  indifference 
to  so  essential  an  interest.  As  that  information  could 
be  best  collected  and  embodied  by  the  active  indus 
try  of  this  and  other  societies,  we  mention  as  an  ad 
ditional  stimulus  to  exertion  and  efforts  well  com 
bined,  and  vigorously  sustained,  and  we  trust  that 
all  citizens,  who  prize  the  lasting  independence  of 
their  country,  who  rejoice  in  its  general  and  indivi 
dual  prosperity,  will  take  pride  and  pleasure  in  shar 
ing  so  generous  a  task. 

"  The  two  delegates  who  proceeded  together  from 
this  city,  were  gratified,  in  returning  through  the 
town  of  Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania,  to  witness  the 
formation  of  an  association  of  citizens,  possessed  of 
every  qualification  to  be  useful;  talent,  influence, 
and  capital.  They  were  there  as  on  the  former  occa 
sions,  invited  to  explain  the  view  and  tendency  of 
their  mission,  and  had  the  pleasure  to  find  the  prin 
ciples  of  this  institution,  approved,  adopted,  and 
promptly  acted  upon  by  their  respected  fellow  citi 
zens. 

"  Numerous  societies  have  cotemporaneously  and 
in  rapid  succession  arisen  throughout  the  union : 
many  have  announced  themselves  by  publications 
fall  of  energy  and  marked  with  intelligence.  Regu- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  5i 

lar  communications  have  been  transmitted  to  us 
from  the  societies  at  Wilmington,  in  the  state  of 
Delaware  $  Middletown,  Hartford,  and  Litehfield, 
in  Connecticut;  Rome,  and  other  places  in  the  state 
of  New  York ;  and  we  have  full  authority  to  say 
that  Ohio,  Kentucky,  New  Jersey,  Virginia,  and 
Mississippi,  will  soon  add  their  strength  and  weight 
to  the  common  stock. 

"  The  most  eminent  journalists,  without  regard  to 
political  or  party  relations,  have  lent  their  unbought 
talents ;  and  essays  have  appeared  in  their  columns 
which  would  do  honour  to  any  country,  or  to  any 
cause.  The  periodical  publications  of  most  acknow 
ledged  merit  and  extensive  circulation,  have  like 
wise  appropriated  their  labours  to  the  service  of  their 
country;  and,  as  far  as  their  sphere  extended,  have 
put  prejudice  to  flight  and  ignorance  to  shame. 

"  A  pamphlet  has  been  completed  by  a  judicious 
and  masterly  hand  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  from 
the  report  of  the  celebrated  Alexander  Hamilton, 
made  by  that  statesman  in  the  year  1790,  when  se 
cretary  of  the  treasury,  by  order  of  the  house  of 
representatives.  This  paper  has  been  eminently 
serviceable,  inasmuch  as  it  brings  back  the  judgment 
of  the  reader  to  the  natural  order  of  things,  before 
the  distorted  and  disjointed  relations  of  the  civilized 
world  had  habituated  mankind  to  disturbed  and 
crooked  views,  and  fallacious  reliances  upon  ephe 
meral  hopes  and  transient  speculations.  It  estab 
lishes  principles,  pure  and  unerring — and  has  the 


52  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

merit  not  only  of  sage  predictions,  but  of  prophecies 
fulfilled. 

"  It  is  impossible  to  notice  all  the  valuable  tracts 
that  patriotic  excitement  has  given  birth  to,  within 
the  short  period  since  our  institution  led  the  way ; 
the  address  of  the  society  of  Middletown,  in  Con 
necticut,  and  the  report  of  the  committee  of  Pitts 
burgh,  reprinted  by  order  of  the  house  of  represen 
tatives,  are  documents  deserving  much  attention; 
and  it  is  to  be  wished,  that  a  collection  of  the  most 
of  these  valuable  tracts,  should  be  embodied  and 
preserved ;  they  are  so  many  pledges  to  the  public, 
of  the  faith  and  loyalty  of  the  citizens. 

"  The  address  of  the  society  has  been  reprinted 
and  circulated  in  such  abundance,  in  so  many  differ 
ent  forms,  and  noticed  with  so  mucJi  favour,  that  it 
is  impossible  for  us  to  retire  from  the  front  of  the 
battle,  where  we  first  appeared,  without  some  loss 
of  character.  It  is  our  turn  now,  to  take  the  next 
step  in  the  field  of  generous  emulation,  and  we  should 
meet,  more  than  half  way,  every  overture  to  cor 
respondence  and  co-operation.  We  should  acknow 
ledge  our  obligations  for  the  confidence  reposed  «i 
us,  and  for  the  light  and  instruction  reflected  upon  us. 

ff  So  far  your  committee  have  traced  their  pro 
gress  in  the  execution  of  their  trust;  so  far  our  bark 
has  adventured  with  a  favouring  gale ;  for  although 
we  lament  that  some  of  our  fabrics  must  suffer  within 
this  year,  irreparable  loss ;  yet  we  trust,  that  the 
certainty ,  with  which  they  may  count  upon  the  fos- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR>  53 

taring1  care  of  the  government,  will  in  general  re 
store  courage,  confidence,  and  credit;  and  enable 
the  greater  part,  to  ride  out  the  storm.  The  im 
mense  losses,  at  which  our  markets  are  glutted,  can 
not  endure  for  many  years,  and  little  can  he  see, 
who  does  not  read  the  rising  prosperity  of  our  manu 
factures,  at  no  distant  day,  and  with  it,  the  power, 
happiness,  and  security  of  this  high  favoured  land. 

"  Your  committee  considering  the  interests  of 
commerce  and  manufactures  as  inseparable  and 
identical,  cannot  close  this  report  without  noticing 
an  evil  which  has  grown  to  an  alarming  extent. 

"  The  present  system  of  auction  sales  of  recent 
date,  in  this  country,  and  an  anomaly  in  the  history 
of  commerce,  has  nearly  exploded  all  regular  busi 
ness  ;  and  the  auctioneer,  whose  office  was  formerly 
subordinate  to  that  of  the  merchant,  is  now  nearly 
the  only  seller;  and  if  subordinate  to  any,  merely  to 
a  foreign  principal.  If  any  sales  are  now  made  by 
the  regular  trader,  they  are  occasional  and  supple- 
mentary. 

<(  Commercial  education,  orderly  habits,*  and  so 
ber  pursuits,  honour  and  good  faith,  too  fatally 
yield  to  gambling  speculations  and  fraudulent  con 
trivances.  The  benefits,  if  any,  that  result  from 
this  extraordinary  monopoly,  dearly  paid  for  by  the 
ruin  of  a  class,  whose  industry  was  the  life  of  the 
community,  and  through  them,  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree,  of  the  various  and  numerous  description  of 
persons,  who,  without  being  commercial,  depend 
upon  commerce  for  their  support:  and  if  once  the 


54  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

merchant  disappears  from  the  scene ;  if  the  source 
is  once  destroyed,  the  thousand  channels  which  it 
fed,  become  dry  and  fruitless;  the  proprietor,  the 
mechanic,  the  artist,  the  labourer,  follow  in  the 
train,  and  must  seek  elsewhere  for  subsistence. 

"Already  has  the  public  feeling  remonstrated 
against  this  abuse ;  but  the  practice  has  still  prevail 
ed.  The  established  merchant,  it  has  been  shown, 
must  ever  be  unable  to  compete  with  the  stranger 
who  is  charged  with  no  contribution  to  the  public 
service,  subjected  to  no  rent  or  household  expendi 
ture,  none  of  the  costs  or  charges  of  a  commercial 
establishment,  nor  taxes  nor  impositions  for  the  sup 
port  of  the  government. 

"  Your  committee,  therefore,  refer  tliis  subject 
to  the  most  serious  attention  of  the  society,  that  the 
most  suitable  means  of  investigation  may  be  adopted 
to  substantiate  its  truth  and  to  procure  relief," 

ADDRESS. 

"  All  who  believe  that  the  happiness  and  independ 
ence  of  our  country,  are  connected  with  the  pros 
perity  of  our  manufactures,  must  rejoice  to  see  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  honouring,  with  his 
presence,  a  society  instituted  for  their  protection  and 
encouragement.  Knowing  that  the  manufactures  of 
the  United  States  cannot,  in  their  infant  state,  resist 
the  rivalship  of  foreign  nations,  without  the  patron 
age  of  the  government,  it  is  consoling  to  find,  that 
he  to  whom  the  unanimous  voice  of  a  free  people  has 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  55 

committed  the  highest  office,  has  not  only  consented 
to  become  a  member  of  our  institution,  hut  that  lie 
avails  himself  of  the  first  opportunity,  of  giving  it 
the  countenance  and  support  of  his  attendance. 

"  An  incident  like  this  may  form  a  new  era  in  the 
history  of  society.  In  other  countries  the  influence 
of  the  magistrate  is  felt  only  from  the  operation  of 
his  laws,  or  through  the  instrumentality  of  his  su 
bordinate  agents,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  he  de 
rives  his  information  through  intermediate  channels. 
But  our  happy  constitution  places  the  people  and 
their  officers  in  such  relations  to  each  other,  that  they 
may  have  a  mutual  and  direct  intercourse  $  and  we 
now  behold  the  first  magistrate  of  a  great  nation, 
seeking  at  its  source  the  information,  which  will  en 
able  him  to  know  the  wants  and  wishes  of  the  coun 
try.  A  life,  devoted  to  the  good  of  his  country, 
gives  us  assurance,  that  it  is  only  necessary  to  make 
him  acquainted  with  what  will  promote  its  happiness, 
to  insure  all  the  support  which  may  be  derived  from 
his  high  station.  It  is  now  too  late  to  question  the 
advantages  of  manufactures.  All  history  shows  us 
how  much  they  have  contributed  to  the  prosperity  of 
every  state,  where  they  have  been  encouraged.  In 
deed  we  find  that  in  some  instances,  they  have  been 
the  sources  of  all  the  wealth  and  power  of  a  people. 
As  they  have  prospered  or  declined,  nations  have 
risen  or  sunk.  Even  wealth,  without  manufactures, 
and  commerce,  has  only  served  to  degrade  a  great 
community,  by  the  introduction  of  that  luxury,  which 
was  purchased  with  the  produce  of  inexhaustible 


56  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

mines  of  gold.  But  it  is  not  as  they  are  sources  oi 
'wealthy  that  an  American  must  feel  the  deepest  in 
terest  in  the  fate  of  our  manufactures ;  they  more 
nearly  concern  us,  as  they  are  connected  with  our 
independence.  For  how  shall  we  avoid  the  influence 
of  foreign  nations,  while  we  suffer  ourselves  to  be 
dependent  on  them,  not  only  for  the  luxuries,  but  the 
necessaries  of  life !  Can  that  nation  feel  independ 
ent,  which  has  no  reliance  but  upon  foreign  hands 
for  the  fabrics  which  are  to  clothe  her  citizens  ?  For 
manufactured  materials  which  are  necessary  for  the 
construction  of  their  dwellings,  and  for  the  tools 
with  which  they  are  to  cultivate  their  soil  ? 

*'  But  such  has  been  our  situation,  (unknown  al 
most  to  ourselves)  until  a  jealousy  of  our  prosperity 
provoked  a  war,  which  barred  us  from  the  workshops 
of  England;  and  then  we  found  we  were  in  some 
measure  obliged  to  rely  on  a  treasonable  trade,  to 
clothe  the  armies,  which  met  her  on  the  field  of  bat 
tle.  The  very  powder  which  generated  the  thunder 
of  our  cannon,  was  sometimes  British  manufacture, 
and  the  striped  bunting  may  often  have  been  from  the 
same  loom  with  the  cross  of  Si.  George,  over  which 
it-  so  frequently  waved  in  triumph. 

"  Such  a  state  of  tilings,  could  not  but  awaken  the 
spirit  and  enterprise  of  Americans.  Amidst  the 
agitations  of  war,  while  one  part  of  the  population 
was  ranging  itself  under  the  military  banners  of  our 
country,"  another  devoted  itself  to  her  interest  in 
another  form.  Manufactures  arose,  as  if  by  enchant 
ment — on  every  stream  she  formed  for  herself  spa- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  57 

cious  dwellings,  and  collected  in  them  many  thou 
sands,  who  in  no  other  way  could  contribute  to  the 
general  weal.  Those  too  young,  or  too  old  to  bear 
arms,  who  had  not  strength  for  agricultural  labours 
— the  female,  whose  domestic  services  could  be  dis 
pensed  with  in  her  family — found  here  a  means  of 
individual  gain,  and  of  adding  to  the  public  prospe 
rity.  In  a  short  three  years,  the  produce  of  our 
looms  rivalled  foreign  productions,  and  the  nation 
with  which  we  were  contending,  felt  more  alarm 
from  the  progress  of  our  manufactures,  than  she  did 
from  the  success  of  our  arms.  But  peace  came.  While 
we  were  at  war,  the  warehouses  of  England  were 
filled  with  the  produce  of  the  labour  which  a  loss  of 
market  had  enabled  her  to  purchase  at  a  depreciated 
price.  The  moment  intercourse  between  the  coun 
tries  was  opened,  her  hoarded  stores  were  thrown 
upon  us,  and  we  were  deluged  with  the  manufac 
tures  which  had  been  waiting  the  event.  They  could 
be  sold  without  profit,  because  the  foreign  manufac 
turer  thought  himself  fortunate,  if  he  could  realise 
the  capital  which  he  had  been  obliged  to  expend,  to 
support  his  establishment  \yhile  there  was  no  sale  for 
wares.  , 

"  But  he  was  content  to  bear  a  loss,  because,  in 
the  words  of  an  English  statesman,  *  it  was  well 
worth  while  to  incur  a  loss  upon  the  first  exporta 
tion,  in  order  by  the  glut,  to  stifle  in  the  cradle,  those 
rising  manufactures  in  the  United  States,  which  the 
war  had  forced  into  existence.'  It  would  have  been 
surprising,  indeed,  if  our  infant  manufactures,  the 


58  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

establishment  of  which,  had  generally  exhausted 
the  capitals  of  those  who  embarked  in  them,  could 
have  sustained  themselves  under  such  circumstances 
without  any  aid  or  support  from  the  government, 
without  any  means  of  countervailing  the  effects  of 
the  sacrifices  which  foreigners  were  willing  to  make 
for  their  destruction.  How  were  they  to  maintain 
themselves  ?  It  was  impossible — many  of  them  sunk 
— but  we  hope,  to  rise  again.  The  attention  of  the 
government,  was  too  ardently  directed  during  the 
war,  to  other  objects,  to  perceive  the  policy  or  ne 
cessity  of  that  protection,  which  the  manufacturing 
interest  did  not  then  appear  to  want.  But  now  that 
peace  will  leave  our  legislators  free  to  consider  and 
provide  for  the  real  independence,  and  permanent 
prosperity  of  our  country ;  now,  when  we  have  at 
the  head  of  our  administration,  a  citizen,  whose  pre 
sence  here  this  evening,  assures  us  of  the  interest  he 
takes  in  the  objects  of  our  institution,  we  may  hope 
that  American  manufactures  will  receive  all  the 
countenance  and  support,  that  can  be  derived  from 
the  power  of  the  government.  Let  that  power  be  ex 
erted  only  so  far  as  to  counteract  the  policy  of  fo 
reign  nations,  and  every  American  may  be  gratified 
in  the  pride  of  wearing  the  produce  of  the  American 
soil,  manufactured  by  American  hands.  Again,  shall 
the  surplus  population  of  our  great  cities,  and  the 
feeble  powers  of  women  and  children,  find  that  means 
of  useful  and  profitable  employment,  which  manufac 
tures  alone  can  afford  them.  Again  shall  the  pa 
triotic  and  enterprising  capitalist,  find  advantages  in 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  59 

devoting  his  means  and  mind  to  objects  so  calculated 
to  promote  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  his  coun 
try.  And  again  shall  foreign  nations  dread  to  see  us 
rising-  to  that  real  independence,  which  we  never  can 
in  truth  enjoy,  while  we  depend  on  any  but  our 
selves  for  the  Jlrst  necessaries  of  life.  The  society 
beg  leave  to  testify  to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  na 
tion,  the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  the  honour  he 
has  conferred  upon  them  by  his  presence  at  this 
time,  and  sincerely  participate  in  the  feelings,  which 
have  been  so  universally  manifested  on  his  visit  to 
our  city,  and  most  cordially  tender  him  their  best 
wishes  for  his  health  and  happiness." 

The  report  and  address  being  read,  the  President 
of  the  United  States  withdrew,  and  the  society  ad 
journed  :  first,  however,  having  instructed  the  secre 
tary  to  inform  the  new  members,  by  letter,  of  their 
election.  As  the  transactions,  this  evening,  of  the 
American  Manufacturing  Society,  appear  to  have 
been  an  immediate  result  of  Mr.  Monroe's  visit  to 
New  York,  and  the  election,  at  this  moment,  of  these 
gentlemen,  as  well  as  of  himself,  seeming  to  be  a 
consequence  growing  out  of  his  tour,  it  is  deemed 
not  only  proper,  but  necessary,  that  the  correspon 
dence,  which  passed  between  the  society  and  them 
selves,  should  be  given  in  detail.  The  insertion  of 
it  will  serve,  also,  to  develope  to  the  reader,  the  dis 
tinct  views  entertained,  by  these  distinguished  men, 
of  such  institutions. 


60  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"New  York,  June  14,  1817. 

"  Sir — The  American  Society  for  the  Encourage 
ment  of  Domestic  Manufactures,  instituted  in  this 
city,  sensible  of  the  zeal  you  have  uniformly  dis 
played,  in  the  promotion  of  every  object,  connected 
with  the  welfare  and  independence  of  our  country, 
had  the  honour  to  elect  you  a  member  at  their  last 
meeting,  convened  on  the  1 3th  inst.  for  the  purpose 
of  initiating  into  the  society,  James  Monroe,  Presi 
dent  of  the  United  States. 

"  It  would  afford  me  the  highest  gratification  to 
announce  to  the  society,  your  assent  to  become  one 
of  its  members. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir,  with  respect  and 
consideration,  your  obedient  servant, 

"  D.  LYNCH,  jun." 

"  Quincy,  June  23,  1817- 

»•'  Sir — I  have  received  the  letter,  you  did  me  the 
honour  of  writing  to  me,  on  the  14th  of  this  month, 
announcing  to  me  my  election,  by  the  American  So 
ciety  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Manufac 
tures,  instituted  in  New  York,  as  a  member:  an 
honour  made  more  illustrious  by  the  presence  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Be  pleased,  Sir,  to  present  my  respects  to  the 
Society,  and  my  thanks  for  the  honour  they  have 
done  me  ;  and  to  assure  them,  if  the  best  wishes  of  a 
man  at  eighty-one  years  of  age,  can  promote  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUT?,  61 

wise  purposes  of  their  institution,  I  shall  be  a  useful 
-member.  For  according  to  my  superficial  view  of 
political  economy  in  civilized  society,  next  to  agri- 
culture,  which  is  the  first  and  most  splendid,  manu 
factures  are  second,  and  navigation  the  third.  With 
agriculture,  manufactures,  and  navigation,  all  the 
commerce  which  can  be  necessary  or  useful  to  the 
happiness  of  a  nation  will  be  secured. 

"  Accept  my  thanks  for  the  civility  with  which 
you  have  communicated  the  vote  of  the  Society  to 
their  and  your  friend, 

"JOHN  ADAMS. 

"  D.  LYNCH,  jun.  esq.  Secretary  of  the  American 
Society  for  the  Encouragement  of  Domestic  Ma 
nufactures." 

"  Monticello,  June  26,  1817, 

«  Sir — I  am  thankful  for  the  honour  done  me  by 
an  association  with  the  American  Society  for  the 
Encouragement  of  Domestic  Manufactures,  insti 
tuted  in  New  York.  The  history  of  the  last  twenty 
years  has  been  a  sufficient  lesson  for  us  all,  to  depend 
for  necessaries  on  ourselves  alone ;  and  I  hope  that 
twenty  years  more,  will  place  the  American  hemis 
phere  under  a  system  of  its  own,  essentially  peace 
able  and  industrious,  and  not  needing  to  extract  its 
comforts  out  of  the  eternal  fires  raging  in  the  old 
world.  The  efforts  of  the  members  of  your  institu 
tion  being  necessarily  engaged  in  their  respective 
vicinages,  I  consider  myself,  by  their  choice,  as  but 
a  link  of  union  between  the  promoters  there  and  here 
of  the  same  patriotic  objects.  Praying  you  to  pre- 

F 


62  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

sent  to  the  Society,  my  just  acknowledgment  for 
this  mark  of  attention,  I  tender  to  yourself  the  assu 
rance  of  my  great  respect  and  consideration. 

«  TH  :  JEFFERSON. 
"  MR.  LYNCH." 

"  Montpellier,  June  27,  1817. 

a  Sir — I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  18th  inst. 
informing  me  that  the  American  Society  for  the  En 
couragement  of  Domestic  Manufactures,  has  been 
pleased  to  elect  me  one  of  its  members. 

"  Although  I  approve  the  policy  of  leaving  to  the 
sagacity  of  individuals,  and  to  the  impulse  of  private 
interest,  the  application  of  industry  and  capital,  I 
am  equally  persuaded  that  in  this,  as  in  other  cases, 
there  are  exceptions  to  the  general  rule,  which  do 
not  impair  the  principle  of  it.  Among  these  excep 
tions,  is  the  policy  of  encouraging  domestic  manu 
factures,  within  certain  limits,  and  in  reference  to 
certain  articles. 

"  Without  entering  into  a  detailed  view  of  the 
subject,  it  may  be  remarked,  that  every  prudent  na 
tion  will  wish  to  be  independent  of  other  nations,  for 
the  necessary  articles  of  food,  of  raiment,  and  of  de 
fence  ;  and  particular  considerations  applicable  to 
the  United  States,  seem  to  strengthen  the  motives  to 
this  independence. 

"  Besides  the  articles  falling  under  the  above  de 
scription,  there  may  be  others,  for  manufacturing 
which,  natural  advantages  exist,  which  require  tern- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  63 

porary  interpositions  for  bringing  them  into  regular 
and  successful  activity. 

66  Where  the  fund  of  industry  is  acquired  from 
abroad,  and  not  withdrawn,  nor  withheld  from  other 
domestic  employments,  the  case  speaks  for  itself. 

"  I  will  only  add,  that  among  the  articles  of  con 
sumption  and  use,  the  preference,  in  many  cases,  is 
decided  merely  by  fashion  or  habit.  As  far  as  equa 
lity,  and  still  more,  where  a  real  superiority  is  found 
in  the  articles,  manufactured  at  home,  all  must  be 
sensible,  that  it  is  politic  and  patriotic  to  encourage 
a  preference  of  them,  as  affording  a  more  certain 
source  of  supply  for  every  class,  and  a  more  cer 
tain  market  for  the  surplus  products  of  the  agricul 
tural  class. 

66  With  these  sentiments,  I  beg  you  to  make  my 
acknowledgments  for  the  marks  of  distinction  con 
ferred  on  me,  and  which  I  accept  from  respect  for 
the  society,  and  for  its  objects,  rather  than  from  any 
hope  of  being  useful  as  a  member.  To  yourself,  I 
tender  my  friendly  respects. 

"JAMES  MADISON." 

The  steam  boat  Chancellor  Livingston,  captain 
Wiswall,  being  in  readiness  to  convey  the  President 
to  West  Point,  he  embarked  on  board  that  vessel, 
at  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  14th,  attended 
by  the  mayor,  and  a  deputation  from  the  corpora 
tion. 

At  the  moment  of  her  departure,  she  was  honour 
ed  with  a  salute  of  nineteen  guns  from  the  Saranac, 


64  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

and  Active  cutter,  which  was  repeated  by  the  seve 
ral  forts  on  the  Hudson.  From  the  time  of  his  arri 
val  there,  until  the  morning  of  Tuesday  17th,  he 
was  engaged  in  reviewing  the  pupils,  at  the  military 
academy,  in  all  the  various  branches  of  their  edu 
cation,  and  in  examining  Fort  Putnam,  and  its  de 
pendencies.  He  returned  to  New- York,  that  even 
ing,  in  the  steam  boat  Paragon. 

Proceeding  from  the  head  quarters  of  general 
Scott,  at  half  past  1 1  o'clock,  in  the  morning  of  the 
18th,  he  embarked  in  an  elegant  barge,  manned  with 
sixteen  oarsmen,  for  the  United  States  steam  frigate, 
Fulton  the  First,  which  had  been  anchored  opposite 
the  Battery  several  hours  before.  Upon  ascending 
the  deck,  the  usual  salutes  were  fired,  and  in  a  short 
time,  she  was  under  way  for  the  Narrows.  Not 
withstanding  the  prevalence  of  an  adverse  gale,  and 
an  unfavourable  tide,  this  immense  vessel  reached 
the  fortifications  at  that  place  in  two  hours.  Upon 
landing  at  Fort  Diamond,  he  was  again  saluted  by 
the  batteries  of  the  steam  frigate,  and  those  of  the 
garrison. 

The  inspection  being  over,  and  the  President  hav 
ing  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  extreme  neat 
ness,  good  order,  and  discipline,  prevailing  through 
out  the  different  forts,  he  repaired  to  the  seat  of  the 
vice-president,  on  Staten  Island,  and  the  steam 
frigate  returned,  at  7  o'clock  that  evening,  to  the 
navy  yard.  "Whilst  on  board  this  frigate,  the  Pre 
sident  was  presented  with  his  diploma  from  the  Lite- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  65 

rary  and  Philosophical  Society,  by  the  honourable 
Dr.  Samuel  L.  Mitchell. 

On  the  19th,  accompanied  by  his  excellency  Dewitt 
Clinton,  the  governor  elect,  major-general  Scott, 
the  honourable  Rufus  King,  colonel  Humphreys, 
his  honour  judge  Van  Ness,  (of  the  supreme  district 
court,)  general  Morton,  and  others,  he  made  an  ex 
cursion  to  Sandy  Hook,  on  board  the  steam  boat 
Connecticut,  captain  Bunker,  and  at  7  o'clock,  on 
the  morning  of  the  20th,  took  his  departure  for  New 
Haven,  on  board  the  same  vessel,  attended  by  the 
cutter  and  the  Saranac. 


66  A  NARRATIVE  OF 


CHAPTER  IV. 


The  President  arrives  at  New  Haven — resolutions  of 
the  Citizens — Middletown — address  of  the  Corpora 
tion  there— the  President  proceeds  to  Hartford — ad 
dress  of  the  Citizens — he  repairs  to  Springfield, 
and  visits  the  United  States  Armory — receives  a 
Committee  from  the  Citizens — resolutions  at  New 
London — the  President  arrives  there — is  addressed 
by  the  Common  Council — visits  Fort  Trumbull — 
the  toivn  of  Groton  and  Fort  Ghiswold — makes  an 
excursion  up  the  Thames — sails  from  New  London 
—sleeps  at  Stonington9  and  arrives  at  Newport — 
proceeds  thence  to  Providence. 

THE  people  of  New  Haven,  and  others  of  the  en- 
lerprising  and  patriotic  towns  of  the  state  of  Con 
necticut,  were  anxiously  looking  for  the  arrival  of 
the  President,  upon  their  shores;  and  to  apprise 
them  of  liis  approach,  in  time,  arrangements  were 
made  between  the  authorities  of  New  Haven,  and 
the  fort  below,  and  the  revenue  cutter  Eagle,  cap 
tain  Lee,  to  announce  that  event,  either  by  the  dis 
charge  of  guns,  or  by  some  other  convenient  and 
proper  signal.  The  disposition  manifested  by  the 
citizens  of  New  Haven,  to  evince  their  respect  for 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  67 

the  chief  magistrate,  is  strongly  set  forth  in  the  fol 
lowing  copy  of  proceedings,  had  at  a  general  meet 
ing,  held  on  the  9th  of  June. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  New 
Haven,  convened  at  the  State  House,  for  the  pur 
pose  of  concerting  for  the  reception  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  on  his  contemplated  visit  to  this 
city:  the  honourable  JAMES  HILLHOUSB  was  called 
to  the  chair,  and  R.  I.  IJVGERSOLI,  esq.  chosen 
secretary,  after  which,  the  following  resolutions 
were  passed. 

"  Besolved9  That  the  honourable  Elizur  Goodrich, 
ObadiahHotchkiss,  JohnH.Lynde,  William  Bristol, 
Elias  Shipman,  John  Nicholl,  and  EH  Whitney, 
esquires,  be  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  a  commit 
tee,  to  make  arrangements  for  the  purpose  of  show 
ing  suitable  respect  to  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  on  his  expected  visit  to  this  city. 

"  Resolved,  That  as  soon  as  the  committee  shall 
have  agreed,  upon  the  arrangement  contemplated, 
they  announce  the  same  to  the  citizens,  in  such  way 
as  they  shall  think  proper. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  this  meeting 
be  published  in  the  Connecticut  Herald. 
66  A  true  copy  of  the  minutes. 

66  R.  I.  iNGERSOLLj  Sec'y." 

At  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  20th,  the  steam 
boat  was  descried  from  the  fort,  the  commandant 
at  which  caused  a  signal  to  be  made,  which  was  re 
peated  by  the  cutter,  and  in  this  manner  intelligence 


68  A  NARRATIVE  OIF 

was  communicated  to  the  citizens  of  the  approach  of 
the  hoat.  The  cutter  immediately  got  under  way,  sail 
ed  for  the  Connecticut,  and,  upon  getting  up  under 
her  stern,  at  5  o'clock,  dropped  her  colours  and  struck 
her  top-sails,  in  testimony  of  respect  to  the  President, 
and  immediately  fired  a  national  salute.  From  the 
fort  also  a  salute  was  fired  by  a  party  of  volunteers 
under  lieutenant  Dickenson,  and  this  was  followed 
by  another,  from  the  battalion  of  artillery,  station 
ed  in  the  town,  under  captain  Blake.  When  the 
Connecticut  reached  the  shore,  the  committee,  ap 
pointed  at  the  general  meeting,  went  on  board,  and 
in  the  name  of  all  their  fellow  citizens,  congratula 
ted  the  President  on  his  arrival  at  New  Haven.  Up 
on  landing  he  was  received  by  his  excellency  Oli 
ver  Wolcott,  the  governor  of  the  state,  who  had  rode 
to  New  Haven  with  his  aids,  majors  Babcock  and 
Huntingdon,  for  that  purpose ;  between  whom  and 
the  President,  the  usual  interchange  of  civilities  took 
place.  Attended  by  Mr.  Wolcott,  the  committee  of 
arrangement,  and  several  civil  and  United  States 
military  officers,  he  was  then  escorted  to  his  intend 
ed  quarters,  at  Butler's  Hotel,  by  the  Governor's 
Horse  Guards,  followed  by  along  train  of  citizens  in 
procession. 

The  uniform  volunteer  companies  of  New  Haven 
were  next  day  reviewed  by  the  President,  after 
which  he  visited  Yale  College,  and  inspected  the 
gun  manufactory  of  Eli  Whitney,  esq. 

The  23d,  being  Monday,  preparations  were  made, 
and  a  suitable  escort  provided,  to  attend  the  chief 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  69 

magistrate  "upon  his  route  to  the  eastward.  A  dep 
utation  from  Middletown,  and  the  adjoining  villa 
ges  having  previously  waited  on  the  President,  to 
request  the  honour  of  his  presence  among  them,  he 
gave  his  assent  to  this  arrangement,  and,  according 
ly,  abandoned  his  original  intention,  of  pursuing 
the  coast  road  to  New  London;  and  in  company 
with  governor  \Yolcott,  and  a  number  of  citizens, 
set  out  on  the  route  for  Middletown  by  sunrise.  He 
reached  Durham,  a  distance  of  nineteen  miles,  about 
eight  o'clock  that  morning.  There  he  was  met  by  the 
sheriff  of  the  county,  and  eight  of  his  deputies,  bear 
ing  the  insignia  of  their  office,  and  by  a  committee 
of  the  citizens  of  Middletown.  From  this  place  he 
proceeded  upon  his  journey  without  delay,  and  hav 
ing  attained  a  point,  within  two  miles  of  the  city,  a 
salute  of  nineteen  guns  was  fired  to  announce  his  ap 
proach.  Having  arrived  in  sight  of  Middletown,  at 
the  request  of  the  committee  he  descended  from  his 
carriage,  and  with  his  suite  consented  to  enter  the 
city  upon  horseback.  A  line  of  procession  was  im 
mediately  formed,  and  the  President  approached 
the  city  amidst  the  salutations  and  rejoicings,  of  the 
soldiery,  and  the  people.  Passing  over  the  bridge, 
the  troops  wheeled  to  the  right  and  left,  and  a  large 
collection  of  citizens,  who  were  present  to  witness 
the  scene,  arranged  themselves  in  regular  files,  at 
each  side  of  the  rnilitia.  When  the  procession  mov 
ed  through  Main  street,  nineteen  guns  were  again 
discharged,  a  peal  was  rung  upon  the  bells,  and  a 
number  of  flags  and  ensigns  were  displayed.  This 


70  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ceremony  being  concluded  by  a  review  of  the  troops, 
the  President  alighted  at  the  Washington  Hotel, 
where  the  mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council 
were  in  readiness  to  receive  him;  and  presented 
him  with  this  address. 

"  To  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  The  mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council  of 
Middletown,  present  you  their  sincere  congratula 
tions  upon  your  arrival  in  this  place. 

"  It  is  our  delight  and  distinction,  as  citizens  of 
the  United  States,  to  see  among  us  the  chief  magis 
trate  of  our  common  country,  wanting  no  other 
guards  than  public  sentiment  and  reverence  for  the 
laws. 

"  Appreciating  the  importance  of  establishments 
for  territorial  and  maritime  defence,  we  have  the 
happiness  of  being  assured,  that  your  present  tour 
has  primary  reference  to  considerations  so  inter 
esting  to  the  national  rights,  and  national  honour. 

"  With  this  assurance,  we  cherish  the  hope,  your 
progress  may  increase  and  confirm  the  harmony  of 
opinion  throughout  the  United  States. 

66  A.  MILLER. 

"Middletown,  June  23, 1817." 

To  this  address  the  President  answered. 

•"•  To  the  Mayor,  Aldermen,  and  Common  Council  of 
Middletown. 

"  Fellow  citizens — Your  kind  and  friendly  recep 
tion  commands  my  warmest  acknowledgements. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  71 

"  If  I  were  a  spectator  only,  instead  of  a  party,  to 
this  scene,  I  should  be  deeply  affected  by  it.  There 
can  be  no  spectacle  more  interesting  to  a  generous 
mind,  than  that  of  a  free  and  virtuous  people,  receiv 
ing  with  unfeigned  confidence,  a  chief  magistrate, 
deriving  his  office  from  their  voluntary  suffrages. 

*•  Aware  of  the  great  importance  of  the  establish 
ment  of  adequate  works,  of  territorial  and  maritime 
defence,  it  is  my  object,  to  give  full  effect  to  the 
provisions  made  by  law,  for  those  purposes.  Should 
my  efforts  obtain  the  approbation  of  my  country, 
and  contribute  in  any  degree  to  promote  harmony 
of  opinion  among  my  fellow  citizens,  so  necessa 
ry  to  their  prosperity  and  happiness,  I  shall  derive 
from  their  success  the  highest  gratification. 

"  JAMES 


In  the  course  of  the  morning,  the  President  and 
suite,  attended  by  general  Humphreys,  the  committee, 
and  the  sheriff,  with  his  deputies,  visited  the  seve 
ral  establishments  of  Messrs.  North,  Starr,  and 
Johnson,  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  rifles, 
swords,  and  other  small  arms,  for  the  United  States 
service.  Returning  from  this  visit,  the  President 
partook  of  an  elegant  collation,  and  immediately  af 
ter  proceeded  onward  toward  the  city  of  Hartford, 
the  capital  of  Connecticut.  The  infantry  and  artil 
lery,  saluted  him  again,  and  the  committee  of  ar 
rangement,  with  the  mayor  at  their  head,  accompa 
nied  him  to  Prospect  Hill.  The  sheriff  and  his  dep~ 
uties,  however,  and  the  escort  of  cavalry,  continued 


72  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

their  attendance,  until  he  reached  the  town  of  Weth- 
ersfield,  where  he  wras  met  by  the  1st  company  of 
the  Governor's  Horse  Guards,  under  the  command 
of  major  Buck,  who  conducted  him  to  the  South 
Green  in  the  city  of  Hartford.  Immediately  on  his 
arrival  there,  the  Hartford  Artillery,  commanded  by 
captain  Ripley,  the  East  Hartford  Artillery,  under 
captain  Olmsted,  and  the  Simsbury  Artillery,  under 
captain  Humphry,  -the  whole  commanded  by  colonel 
Johnson,  honoured  him  with  a  national  salute. 

He  was  then  received  by  the  1st  company  of  the 
Governor's  Foot  Guards,  commanded  by  major 
Goodwin,  and  five  companies  of  infantry,  under  cap 
tains  Johnson,  Wadsworth,  Rockwell,  Elsworth  and 
Brown,  and  commanded  by  colonel  Loomis,  and  a 
detachment  of  cavalry,  under  colonel  Gleason.  By 
this  body  of  troops,  and  followed  by  an  immense  as 
semblage  of  citizens,  he  was  escorted  over  the  city 
bridge,  leading  directly  into  Hartford.  The  bridge 
was  elegantly  ornamented  for  the  occasion,  and  three 
lofty  arches,  tastefully  decorated  with  evergreen 
and  laurel,  had  been  thrown  over  it.  From  the  cen 
tral  arch,  was  suspended  a  scroll,  on  which  was  em 
blazoned,  the  words  «  MARCH  4,  1817." 

The  cavalcade  having  passed,  he  alighted  at  Mor 
gan's  Coffee-house,  amidst  a  throng  of  citizens  and 
soldiers,  more  numerous  than  had  ever  been  seen  as 
sembled  in  that  city  before.  Upon  entering  his 
apartments,  at  the  hotel,  he  was  addressed  in  behalf 
of  the  corporation,  by  their  senior  alderman,  the 
mayor  being  absent,  in  the  manner  following: 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  7$ 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

«  Sir — The  pleasing  duty  has  devolved  on  us  of 
presenting  you  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens  of 
Hartford,  on  your  arrival  in  this  city.  It  is  with 
sentiments  of  regard  for  private  worth,  no  less  than 
with  respect  for  official  dignity,  that  the  personal 
presence,  of  the  first  magistrate  of  the  nation  is  as 
sociated. 

"  The  endearing  relation  which  subsists,  between 
the  people  of  a  free  country,  and  their  political  father 
and  guide,  is  peculiarly  fitted  to  cherish  and  ennoble 
these  sentiments. 

"  It  is  no  less  our  happiness,  sir,  than  yours,  that 
your  administration  has  commenced  at  a  period,  gild 
ed  by  the  recent  exploits  of  our  army  and  navy,  and 
at  the  same  time  enjoying  the  tranquillity  and  secu 
rity  of  peace  ;  when  full  scope  is  given  to  the  enter 
prise,  industry  and  skill  of  our  citizens,  in  the  em 
ployments  of  agriculture  and  manufactures ;  when 
the  pursuit  of  science,  and  the  cultivation  of  the  arts 
of  civilized  life,  are  encouraged  by  their  appropri 
ate  rewards ;  and  when  the  spirit  of  party,  with  its 
concomitant  jealousies  and  misrepresentations,  no 
longer  "  render  alien  to  each  other  those  who  ought 
to  be  bound  together  by  paternal  affection."  We  anti 
cipate  in  your  administration,  commenced  under  the 
auspices,  and  blessed  with  the  smiles  of  HIM  "  whose 
dominion  is  an  everlasting  dominion,"  a  period  of 
glory  to  our  country,  and  of  honour  to  yourself. 

"  The  state  of  Connecticut,  as  she  was  among  the 

G 


74  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

first  to  adopt  the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  1 
so  will  she  always  be  among  its  most  firm  and  zeal-  | 
Ous  supporters. 

"The  people  of  this  state,  while  they  cherish  a 
high  spirit  of  freedom,  are,  from  the  force  of  our  in 
stitutions  and  habits,  distinguished  also  for  their 
love  of  order  and  submission  to  the  laws.  In  pur 
suing  a  policy,  which,  as  we  confidently  expect,  will 
give  the  best  effect  to  the  principles  of  our  govern 
ment  ;  establish  commerce  upon  a  permanent  basis  ; 
render  us  strong  and  independent ;  confer  on  us  a 
distinct  and  elevated  national  character ;  and  secure 
to  our  country  those  high  advantages,  which  seem 
destined  for  her  by  Providence  $  you  may  be  assured 
of  a  hearty  support. 

"  May  heaven  grant,  sir,  that  your  life  may  be 
long  and  happy ;  and  that  the  freedom  and  indepen 
dence  of  our  country  may  be  perpetual. 

"  JOHN  MORGAN. 

"  In  behalf  of  the  mayor,   aldermen,  common 
council,  and  freemen  of  Hartford." 

The  following  answer  was  returned  by  the  Presi 
dent. 

(i  To  the  Mayor,  Jlldermen,  and  Council  of  the  City  of 
Hartford. 

"  Fellow  Citizens — J  beg  you  to  accept  my  grate 
ful  acknowledgments,  for  the  favourable  sentiments 
which  you  have  expressed  towards  me,  and  the  kind 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  75 

and  friendly  manner,  in  wliicli  yon  have  received 
me.  No  one  can  take  more  interest,  than  I  do,  in  the 
present  prosperous  and  happy  condition  of  our  coun 
try.  Having  witnessed  two  wars,  attended  with 
imminent  distress,  and  which  made  a  severe  trial  of 
our  institutions,  I  see,  with  the  most  heartfelt  sa 
tisfaction,  the  happy  consequences  attending  our  ex 
ertions,  and  which  you  have  so  justly  described,  in 
the  review  you  have  taken  of  them.  Blessed  with 
peace ;  agriculture,  the  arts,  and  commerce  flour 
ishing  ;  jealousies  subsiding ;  and  our  bond  of  union 
gaming  strength ;  our  situation  is  peculiarly  hap 
py,  and  the  prospect  of  its  long  continuance  the 
most  flattering.  In  a  state  where  the  arts  and  sci 
ences  are  so  happily  cultivated,  and  which  has  evin 
ced  so  strong  an  attachment  to  the  cause  of  liberty, 
full  confidence  is  entertained,  that  it  will  always  be 
found  among  the  most  zealous  supporters  of  that 
cause,  and  of  our  most  excellent  constitution." 

The  President  soon  after,  with  his  suite,  general 
Swift  and  Mr.  Mason,  proceeded  to  the  review  of 
the  troops,  and  thence  to  the  benevolent  and  inter 
esting  institution  of  the  deaf  and  dumb,  with  the 
progress  of  the  pupils  in  which,  after  a  very  long  ex 
amination,  he  expressed  himself  to  be  highly  grati 
fied. 

On  Tuesday,  the  24th,  at  5  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
the  President  left  Hartford,  and  arrived  at  the  line 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Connecticut  river,  which 
marks  the  boundary  of  Massachusetts,  about  nine. 


76  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

An  escort  from  Springfield,  and  its  vicinity,  con 
sisting  of  sixty  gentlemen  on  horseback,  and  a  num 
ber  of  citizens  in  carriages,  were  already  in  wait 
ing,  on  the  road  at  that  point,  and  immediately  after 
meeting  him,  a  procession  was  formed,  extending 
nearly  half  a  mile,  by  which,  and  the  escort,  he  was 
conducted  into  the  town.  When  the  train  reached 
the  bridge,  at  its  entrance,  the  artillery  company  of 
captain  Warriner  commenced  firing  a  federal  salute, 
and  the  bells  of  the  town  struck  up  a  peal,  which 
was  continued  until  the  President  alighted  at  his 
quarters,  at  Bennett's  Inn.  The  following  ad- 
dress,  to  which  he  made  a  verbal  reply,  was  im 
mediately  after  presented  to  him  by  a  deputation  of 
the  citizens. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  May  it  please  your  Excellency — We  wait  on 
you,  as  a  committee,  in  behalf  of  the  people  of  this, 
and  the  neighbouring  towns,  cordially  to  welcome 
your  arrival  within  the  commonwealth  of  Massa 
chusetts. 

"  Of  such  extent  is  the  country,  over  which,  by 
the  voice  of  the  people,  according  to  our  excellent 
constitution,  you  are  called  to  preside ;  so  various 
and  all  important,  are  the  duties  of  your  high  sta 
tion,  that  but  a  small  portion  of  our  citizens  could 
ever  expect  the  honour,  and  favour,  of  personally 
knowing  their  chief  magistrate. 

"  When  your  excellency's  intention  to  visit  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  7f 

northern  states,  during  this  season,  and  the  other 
states  of  the  union,  whenever  your  cares  and  ardu 
ous  labours  at  the  seat  of  government  would  admit  of 
your  leaving  it,  was  announced,  we  contemplated  it 
with  pleasure,  as  having  a  tendency,  to  draw  still 
closer,  that  bond  of  union,  which  ought  never  to  be 
broken,  or  even  relaxed,  by  the  intrigues  of  foreign 
nations,  or  the  faults  and  follies  of  our  own. 
"  In  personally  viewing  the  various  establishments, 
made  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  since 
the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  for  the  security  and 
defence  of  our  country,  we  sincerely  hope  your  excel 
lency  will  see  much  to  approve ;  and  that,  in  this 
place,  you  will  find  the  efforts,  made  to  relieve  us 
from  that  dependence  on  other  nations,  for  imple 
ments  of  war,  (so  painful  to  us  during  our  struggle 
for  independence)  not  unworthy  of  your  notice  and 
approbation. 

"  We  ardently  wish  your  excellency  prosperity 
in   your  journeying — perfect  self-complacency  in 
your  administration  of  the  government ;  and,  under 
the  smiles  of  a  kind  providence,  personal  blessings. 
"  And  we  are,  with  the  highest  respect, 
your  obedient  servants. 

"  THOMAS  DWIGHT, 
"  ROSWELL  LEE, 
"JOHN  INGERSOLL, 
«  SAMUEL  LATHROP, 
"  JOSHUA  FROST, 

"  Committee, 
"  Springfield,  June  24, 18177' 

G  9, 


78  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

The  President  and  suite  then  proceeded  on  horse- 
back  to  view  the  United  States  Armory,  and  pub 
lic  works,  and  upon  reaching  the  ground  upon  the 
hill,  he  was  again  saluted  by  the  artillery.  In  the 
afternoon  four  hundred  and  ten  children,  from  twelve 
charity  schools,  in  the  neighbourhood,  within  one 
mile  and  an  half  of  each  other,  were  assembled  in 
Springfield  with  their  instructors,  and  passed  before 
the  President  at  the  inn.  One  of  the  committee  ob 
served  to  him,  «  We  here  present  your  excellency, 
the  hopes  of  our  country,  and  we  are  endeavouring 
to  train  them  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of 
the  Lord,  and  in  the  true  principles  of  republican 
government."  To  which  remark  the  President 
immediately  answered,  (t  I  am  much  pleased  and 
gratified  with  their  appearance,  and  I  pray  God,  to 
bless  them  and  you,  and  to  carry  your  good  design 
into  effect." 

At  4  o'clock  he  set  out  for  New  London,  escorted 
by  the  same  company,  to  the  east  side  of  the  Con 
necticut  river,  where  he  entered  that  state  a  second 
time.  The  citizens  of  New  London,  being  apprized 
of  his  intention  to  visit  that  city,  for  the  purpose 
of  inspecting  the  forts  Trumbull  and  Griswold,  the 
one  situated  at  the  entrance  to  the  harbour,  and  the 
other  erected  for  the  purpose  of  defending  it,  at  the 
opposite  town  of  Groton,  resolved  to  show  him  all 
the  respect  due  to  his  high  station.  The  corpora 
tion,  therefore,  made  the  necessary  preparations  for 
his  reception,  and  appointed  Jedediah  Hunting 
don,  Thomas  H.  Cwshing,  Nicholl  Fosdick,  and 


ffa 

THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  \^  *       79 

Lyman  Law,  a  committee,  and  selected  a  'x 
marshals  for  the  day,  to  carry  their  arrangements 
into  effect. 

On  Wednesday,  the  25th,  at  one  o'clock,  the  Pre 
sident's  approach  being  discovered  from  a  neigh 
bouring  height,  signal  guns  were  immediately  fired, 
the  colours  displayed  from  the  shipping  in  the  har 
bour,  and  the  1st  company  of  light  artillery,  under 
captain  Dennis,  proceeded  to  meet  and  escort  him  to 
his  lodgings.  Attended  by  the  committee  of  ar 
rangement  also,  and  most  of  the  citizens,  the  proces 
sion  moved  down  State  and  Bank  streets,  to  the 
house  of  Mr.  Taber,  where  accommodations  had 
been  previously  provided.  Under  the  direction  of 
the  marshals,  the  citizens  formed  two  lines,  between 
which*  preceded  by  the  military,  the  President  pass 
ed  to  his  quarters.  Salutes  were  then  fired  by  the 
artillery,  Fort  Trumbull,  and  by  the  United  States 
vessels  then  in  the  harbour. 

The  court  of  common  pleas,  at  that  time  in  ses 
sion,  and  the  principal  gentlemen  of  the  bar,  waited 
on  the  President  and  offered  their  congratulations. 
Immediately  after,  the  corporation  made  a  presenta 
tion  of  their  address,  which  follows. 

«  To  the  President  oj  the  United  States. 

"  The  mayor,  aldermen,  and  common  council  of 
the  city  of  New  London,  in  behalf  of  the  corpora 
tion,  with  high  respect  for  his  exalted  station,  em- 


80  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

brace  this  opportunity  to  welcome  the  President  of 
the  United  States  on  his  safe  arrival  in  this  place. 

"  A  visit  from  the  chief  magistrate  of  a  nation,  so 
respectable  and  important  in  the  scale  of  political 
existence,  as  the  United  States,  to  this  portion  of 
the  union,  is  an  occurrence  interesting  to  the  patriot, 
and  highly  gratifying  to  the  feelings  of  this  commu 
nity  :  an  occurrence  which,  as  individuals,  we  shall 
remember,  and  which  the  corporation  will  record. 
It  affords  us  consolation  that  your  administration  has 
commenced,  at  a  period  favourable  for  improvement 
— for  the  establishment  of  a  national,  of  an  Ameri 
can  character.  A  period,  when  the  storms  of  war 
have  passed,  and  days  of  peace  commenced;  when 
party  spirit  is  assuaged,  and  a  spirit  of  mutual  cha 
rity  and  forbearance  nationally  prevails. 

«  That  the  President  of  the  United  States,  in  com 
mon  with  his  fellow  citizens,  is  enjoying  that  state 
of  peace,  which  his  own  agency  and  energy  so  es 
sentially  produced,  is  to  us  a  source  of  pleasing  re 
flection  and  consideration.  We  trust  that  we  may 
be  indulged  in  the  pleasing  contemplation,  that  we 
possess  our  habitations  in  safety;  that  our  shores 
are  free  from  alarms;  and  that  the  waters  of  our 
harbour  are  relieved  from  the  presence  of  a  threat 
ening  and  hostile  fleet.  With  great  satisfaction  we 
once  more  behold  in  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  Uni 
ted  States,  a  man  who  in  his  youth,  had  an  agency 
in  achieving  with  his  sword,  the  independence,  and 
establishing  the  pillars  of  that  government  of  which 
he  is  now  the  head,  and  which  is  the  pride  of  Ame~ 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  81 

ricft,  and  the  wonder  of  the  world.  From  the  high 
stations  you  have  held  and  honourably  sustained; 
from  the  eminent  services  you  have  rendered  our 
common  country,  we  have  a  happy  assurance,  under 
divine  providence,  of  an  honourable  and  prosperous 
administration,  and,  that  under  the  auspices  of  your 
government,  we  shall  be  a  united  and  happy  people, 

"  Nothing  can  give  us  more  satisfaction,  than  a 
consideration  of  the  parental  view  and  extensive  sur 
vey,  which  the  President  is  taking  of  the  northern 
section  of  that  country,  which  is  happily  united  un 
der  a  government  of  energy  and  freedom,  and  of 
which,  by  the  choice  of  a  great  and  enlightened  peo 
ple,  he  is  now  the  political  head. 

"  Be  pleased,  sir,  to  accept  our  sincere  wishes, 
that  your  life  may  be  prolonged  and  happy ;  that 
your  administration  may  be  prosperous  and  blessed  ; 
that  your  journey  may  he  pleasant;  and  that  you 
may  in  health  and  safety  be  returned  to  the  bosom  of 
your  family,  and  all  your  endearing  and  domestic 
relations,  with  happiness  and  satisfaction. 

"JEREMIAH  BRAINARD,  Mayor." 

To  this  address  the  following  reply  was  made : 

"  To  the  Mayor,  Jlldermen,  and  Common  Council  of 
the  city  of  New  London. 

"Fellow  Citizens: 

"  In  making  a  tour  through  the  eastern  states, 
with  a  view  to  public  defence,  New  London  had  a 
strong  claim  to  attention;  and  in  visiting  it,  I  have 


82  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

been  much  gratified  by  the  very  friendly  reception 
which  has  been  given  me.  Aware  of  the  favourable 
circumstances  under  which  I  have  commenced  the 
duties  of  the  high  trust,  to  which  I  have  been  appoint 
ed  by  my  fellow  citizens,  it  will  be  my  zealous  en 
deavour  to  derive  from  them,  in  the  administration 
of  the  government,  all  the  advantages  which  they 
can  afford. 

"  It  is  only  making  adequate  preparation  for  war, 
now  that  we  are  blessed  with  peace,  that  we  can  hope 
to  avert  that  calamity  in  future.  It  is  only  by  a 
vigorous  prosecution  of  the  war,  when  it  becomes 
inevitable,  that  its  evils  can  be  mitigated,  and  an 
honourable  peace  be  soon  restored.  In  the  pursuit 
of  great  national  objects,  it  is  equally  the  interest 
and  the  duty,  of  the  whole  American  people,  to 
unite. 

"  Happy  in  a  government  which  secures  to  us  the 
full  enjoyment  of  all  our. civil  and  religious  rights, 
we  have  every  inducement  to  unite  in  its  support. 
"With  such  union  we  have  nothing  to  dread  from  fo 
reign  powers. 

"  For  the  kind  interest  which  you  take  in  my  wel 
fare,  I  beg  you  to  accept  of  my  warmest  thanks,  and 
to  be  assured  of  the  sincerity  with  which  I  recipro 
cate  it,  in  favour  of  the  citizens  of  New  London  and 
its  vicinity. 

"  JAMES  MONROE." 

Barges  having  been  provided,  under  the  direction 
of  commodores  Bainbridge  and  Oliver  H.  Perry,  for 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  83 

the  President,  his  suite,  and  several  naval  and  mili 
tary  gentlemen ;  they  were  conveyed  across  to  Fort 
Trumbull  at  10  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  Thursday. 
The  Enterprize  sloop  of  war  fired  a  salute,  as  the 
barges  put  off  from  the  wharf,  which  was  repeated  at 
Fort  Trumbull,  upon  the  President's  landing  at  that 
garrison.  From  Fort  Trumbull  the  party  proceeded 
across  the  harbour  to  the  town  of  Groton,  where  the 
President  was  received  by  a  committee  of  arrange 
ment,  and  a  large  assemblage  of  the  citizens  of  that 
place,  and  the  neighbouring  towns.  From  the  point 
of  landing,  he  was  escorted  to  Fort  Griswold,  by  a 
company  of  grenadiers  under  captain  Dabell,  from 
the  8th  regiment,  accompanied  by  the  selectmen, 
and  civil  authorities  of  Groton.  Arrived  at  the 
jate  of  the  fort,  the  military  wheeled  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  the  President,  with  his  suite,  and  the  offi 
cers  in  attendance,  entered  the  garrison,  through 
the  two  lines.  The  event  by  which  this  fort  became 
distinguished  in  the  course  of  the  revolutionary  con 
test,  though  not  forgotten  by  the  President,  was, 
probably  more  forcibly  impressed  upon  his  mind, 
and  his  visit  rendered  much  more  interesting,  by 
the  presence  of  some  of  the  brave  defenders  of  the 
garrison,  at  the  memorable  time  alluded  to.  The  vo 
lunteer  militia  of  Groton,  had  been  stationed  within 
the  walls  of  Fort  Griswold,  during  September  of 
the  year  1780,  and  on  the  6th  day  of  that  month, 
sustained  the  vigorous  assault  arid  storming  of  that 
garrison,  by  the  British  under  general  BENEDICT 
ARNOLD  ;  until  overpowered  by  numbers^  and  see- 


84  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ing  no  other  mode  of  escaping  the  fury  of  the  assail 
ants,  they  capitulated  upon  honourable  terms,  and 
provided  by  treaty,  for  the  protection  of  the  surren 
dered  troops.  The  fort  was  entered  by  the  ene 
my,  but  their  stipulations  were  violated,  and  the 
garrison  inhumanly  put  to  the  sword.  It  was  the 
desire  of  the  President  to  behold  some  mem 
ber  of  the  gallant  band,  who  participated  in  the 
brave  though  unsuccessful  defence  of  the  fort,  and  at 
his  own  request,  two  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Ebenezer 
Avery,  and  Park  Avery,  each  of  them  upwards  of 
seventy  years  of  age,  inhabitants  of  Groton,  who 
had  been  fortunate  enough  to  sundve  the  horrors  of 
the  scene,  after  being  severely  wounded  and  suppo 
sed  to  be  dead,  by  the  enemy,  were  presented  to  him 
on  the  spot. 

Having  congratulated  these  gentlemen,  upon  their 
escape  from  this  perilous  situation,  of  the  danger  of 
which  their  scars  bore  honourable  testimony,  and 
having  finished  his  examination  of  the  fort,  he  was 
again  received  by  the  military  and  citizens  without, 
and  conducted  to  the  house  of  captain  Elijah  Bailey, 
where  refreshments  had  been  previously  prepared 
for  him.  After  partaking  of  these,  and  having  been 
saluted  by  the  troops,  he  went  on  board  the  steam 
boat  Fulton,  captain  Law,  which  had  been  politely 
placed  under  his  requisition  by  the  proprietors.  He 
proceeded  six  miles  up  the  Thames,  upon  the  east 
side  of  which  Fort  Griswold  is  situated,  with  a  view 
of  examining  that  important  river,  and  its  nume 
rous  and  valuable  accommodations  for  a  navy. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S'  TOUR.  85 

Though  the  avowed  oh  ject  for  which  the  President 
had  undertaken  his  tour,  was  to  ascertain  the  mili 
tary  strength  and  position  of  the  assailable  points 
upon  the  seaboard,  and  to  provide  for  their  repair 
and  better  protection  against  an  enemy,  yet  the  sei- 
lection  of  a  situation  for  naval  depots,  and  military 
arsenals,  whence  the  shipping  and  the  garrisons, 
might  draw  their  resources,  being  intimately  blend 
ed  with  this  object,  he  did  not  fail  to  avail  himself 
of  an  opportunity  of  viewing  a  point  so  important  as 
this  has  been  represented  to  be. 

The  Thames  had  been  proved  to  be  capable  of  pro 
tecting  a  fleet  of  heavy  ships,  and  of  affording  a  good 
harbour  against  the  most  boisterous  seasons  of  the 
year.  It  had  been  resorted  to  by  commodore  De- 
catur,  at  that  period  of  the  late  war,  when  New 
London  became  particularly  distinguished  by  the 
long  blockade  of  sir  Thomas  Hardy. 

In  consequence  of  the  commodore's  having  proceed 
ed  with  the  frigates  United  States  and  Macedonian, 
and  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  through  the  sound,  to  get 
to  sea  from  the  eastward,  and  of  Ids  having  been 
driven,  with  his  squadron,  into  New  London,  by  a 
superior  detachment  of  the  enemy's  ships,  that  port 
was  rigorously  blockaded,  by  the  Rainiiics  seventy- 
four,  two  frigates,  and  several  smaller  vessels,  un 
der  sir  Thomas.  Every  effort  to  get  to  sea,  under 
the  auspices  of  dark  nights,  and  favourable  winds, 
having  proved  unavailing,  in  consequence  of  the  ene 
my's  being  continually  apprised  of  the  designs  of  the 
American  commodore,  he  was  blockaded  for  many 
H 


8G  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

months,  \\ilhout  a  prospect  of  escaping,  either  hy 
the  ordinary  channel,  or  by  the  sound.  He  was 
finally  obliged  to  abandon  his  intention  of  putting  to 
sea,  and,  being  authorized  by  the  navy  department, 
he  dismantled  the  frigates,  and  sent  them  up  this 
line  river  (the  Thames)  for  protection. 

The  Fulton  returned  to  New  London  in  the  course 
of  the  afternoon,  and  the  President  remained  at  his 
quarters  there,  until  the  following  morning  at  six 
o'clock,  when,  under  a  national  salute,  he  embarked 
on  board  the  sloop  of  war  Enterprize,  which  imme 
diately  weighed  anchor,  and  sailed  out  of  the  har 
bour,  accompanied  by  the  other  vessels  of  the  United 
States,  ordered  there  for  that  purpose.  In  passing 
Fort  Trumbull,  the  fleet  was  honoured  with  another 
salute. 

From  New  London  the  President  was  conveyed 
to  the  entrance  of  Gardiner's  Bay;  after  inspecting 
which,  he  landed  at  Stonington  Point,  and  passed 
the  night  of  the  27th  at  the  town  of  Stonington,  dis 
tinguished  by  its  intrepid  resistance  to  a  powerful 
attack  from  three  heavy  vessels  of  war,  the  largest 
being  the  Ramilies  seventy-four,  made  on  the  9th  of 
August,  1814,  and  which  resulted  in  the  entire  re 
pulse  of  the  enemy,  after  he  had  ineffectually  thrown 
into  the  town  upwards  of  sixty  tons  of  metal. 

At  sunrise,  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the  Presi 
dent  left  Stonington,  and  re-embarked  on  board 
the  Enterprize,  and  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same 
day  the  fleet  entered  Newport  Bay  under  discharges 
of  artillery  from  Fort  Wolcott,  Fort  Adams,  and 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  87 

from  the  town.  A  committee  of  the  citizens,  major- 
general  Gibbs  and  suite,  colonel  Towson,  commo 
dore  Perry,  and  many  other  civil  and  military  offi 
cers,  received  the  President  when  he  landed.  The 
line  of  procession  being  adjusted  in  a  suitable  man 
ner,  and  the  troops,  consisting  of  an  artillery  com 
pany  and  two  companies  of  militia,  having  disposed 
themselves  in  order  of  escort,  the  whole  body  advan 
ced  to  the  quarters,  made  ready  for  the  President. 
Forts  Wolcott  and  Adams,  were  the  earliest  objects 
of  the  President's  attention  in  Newport.  Immedi 
ately  after  he  had  received  the  congratulations  of 
the  civil  and  military  authorities,  of  the  place,  he 
repaired  to  these  forts  and  examined  their  con 
dition,  with  much  care.  The  regularity  of  the  garri 
sons,  and  the  neatness  and  veteran  appearance  of  the 
soldiery,  drew  from  him,  some  very  high  encomi 
ums. 

After  having  dined,  he  made  a  short  excursion 
into  the  adjacent  country  on  horseback,  expressing 
himself  highly  pleased  with  the  local  situation,  and 
beautiful  scenery  of  the  island.  Many  emblemati 
cal  transparencies  were  exhibited  in  the  evening ; 
the  two  forts  were  splendidly  illuminated;  and  other 
testimonies  of  respect  were  shown  by  the  citizens  to 
the  chief  magistrate.  The  29th,  being  Sunday,  was 
employed  by  the  President  in  devotional  services : 
in  the  morning  he  attended  public  worship  at  Trini 
ty  Church,  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  Second  Congre 
gational  Meeting-house,  and  in  the  evening,  at  the 
Second  Baptist  Church. 


g»  ;  *  A"  NARRATIVE  OF 

On  Monday,  the  30th,  he  quitted  Newport,. iit 
company  with  his  excellency  governor  Knight,  (who 
arrived,  there  on  Saturday,)  major-general  Gibbs, 
and  the  committee,  and  reached  Fall  River.  From 
this  place  he  proceeded  to  Bristol,  where  every 
mark  of  respect,  consistent  with  his  short  delay, 
was  shown  by  the  inhabitants.  At  Bristol  he  em 
barked  in  the  steam  boat  Fire  Fly,  captain  Smith, 
for  Providence  and  in  the  evening,  about  9  o'clock, 
entered  that  city.  The  ceremonies  which  had  been 
observed  upon  the  entrance  of  President  Monroe,  in 
to  the  other  metropolitan  cities,  were  repeated  with 
great  spirit  and  cordiality  by  the  citizens  of  Provi 
dence.  Having  arrived  at  the  hotel,  he  remained 
some  time  in  the  piazza,  with  general  Howell  on 
his  right,  and  governor  Fenner  on  his  left,  for  the 
purpose  of  gratifying  the  curiosity  of  a  numerous 
crowrd  of  people.  A  levee  was  held  immediately  af 
ter,  when  many  revolutionary,  civil  and  military  of 
ficers,  and  a  committee  deputed  by  the  citizens  of 
the  town  were  received.  A  general  presentation  of 
the  inhabitants  to  the  President,  took  place  on  the 
following  morning;  at  9  o'clock,  he  rode  out  and 
viewed  the  city,  examined  the  defensible  points,  and 
inspected  the  public  establishments,  and  at  1 1  took 
leave  of  Providence  for  Boston. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  8P 


CHAPTER  V. 


Massachusetts — the  President  is  received  on  its  line  by 
the  Governor's  Aid — passes  through  Jlttleborough, 
Wrentham  and  Walpole,  and  sleeps  at  Dedham — 
arrives  at  Boston — address  of  the  Citizens — inspec 
tion  of  Forts  Independence  and  Warren — celebra 
tion  of  the  4th  of  July — address  of  the  Cincinnati — 
of  the  Minority  of  the  Legislature. 

AT  the  boundary  line,  between  Rhode  Island 
and  Massachusetts,  colonel  Sumner,  aid-de-camp 
to  his  excellency  the  governor  of  the  latter  state, 
was  in  waiting  to  welcome  the  President,  and  to 
request  his  acceptance  of  an  escort,  composed  of 
a  squadron  of  cavalry,  and  a  battalion  of  artil 
lery,  which  the  governor  had  ordered  to  attend 
him.  These  marks  of  civility  were  received  with 
great  politeness  by  the  President,  and  he  fur 
ther  accepted  an  offer  from  colonel  Sumner,  to  ac 
company  him,  as  an  attendant  on  his  way,  to  the  ca 
pital.  A  detachment  of  militia,  commanded  by  bri 
gadier-general  Lincoln  of  the  5th  division,  then  un 
derwent  the  President's  review.  This  detachment 
was  composed  of  a  troop  of  cavalry,  under  captain 
Hunt,  from  Seekonk,  a  company  of  artillery  from 


90  A  NARRATIVE  O* 

Norton,  under  captain  Walker,  a  company  of  light 
infantry  from  Easton,  commanded  by  lieutenant 
Alger,  a  company  of  light  infantry  from  Rehoboth, 
under  captain  Carpenter,  and  a  rifle  company  from 
Attleborough,  under  captain  Daggett.  These  compa 
nies  formed  a  battalion  and  were  commanded  by  co 
lonel  Leach  of  Easton.  When  the  usual  marching 
and  standing  salutes  were  performed,  and  the  offi 
cers  of  the  different  corps  had  been  introduced  to 
the  president,  he  visited  the  extensive  cotton  factory, 
under  the  agency  of  Mr.  T.  Green,  and  thence  pre 
ceded  by  the  marshal  of  the  district,  and  captain 
Hunt's  troop  of  cavalry,  he  passed  through  the  5th 
division  to  the  house  of  colonel  Hatch  at  Attlebo 
rough. 

In  anticipation  of  the  expected  visit  of  the  Presi 
dent  to  Boston,  the  governor  of  Massachusetts,  no 
sooner  heard  of  his  departure  from  Washington, 
than  he  issued  the  following  order. 

"  Head  Quarters,  Boston,  June  7, 1817. 

"  General  orders — The  commander  in  chief,  having 
received  information  that  the  President  of  the  Uni 
ted  States  is  on  his  way  to  this  commonwealth,  is  de 
sirous  to  show  him  all  that  attention  and  respect, 
that  is  due  to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation. 

"  Major-general  Crane  will,  therefore,  inform 
himself  of  the  President's  route,  and  order  a  proper 
detachment  of  cavalry  to  meet  him  on  the  line  of 
his  division,  and  escort  him  on  his  way  to  the  metro 
polis,  until  he  receives  further  orders.  If  any  of 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  91 

the  citizens  should  be  disposed  to  join  the  escort,  he 
will  make  all  the  necessary  arrangements  for  dis 
playing  a  handsome  style  of  parade. 

"  The  commander  in  chief  has  full  confidence, 
that  major-general  Crane  will  conduct  in  such  man 
ner  as  to  meet  his  approbation,  and  be  satisfactory 
to  himself  and  his  fellow  citizens. 

(i  By  his  excellency's  command. 

"  E.  MATTOON,  Adjut.  Gen. 

Conforming  with*  these  orders,  major-general 
Crane,  immediately  issued  division  orders,  directing 
all  the  cavalry  and  artillery  corps,  of  the  1st  division 
of  the  militia,  to  be  in  readiness  to  execute  the  or 
ders  of  the  commander  in  chief,  and  requested  the 
field,  staff,  and  platoon  officers  of  his  division,  to 
join  the  intended  escort,  in  uniform  and  on  horse 
back.  Brigadier-general  Welles  also  issued  orders 
to  the  commanding  officers  of  the  squadron  of  caval 
ry,  and  the  battalion  of  artillery,  of  the  3d  brigade, 
requiring  a  parade  of  the  troops  under  their  several 
commands. 

Major-general  Crane,  accompanied  by  brigadier 
general  Guild,  of  the  2d  brigade,  of  the  1st  division, 
was  accordingly  in  waiting  at  Attleborough,  at  the 
moment  of  the  President's  arrival,  with  a  battalion 
of  cavalry,  under  major  Pond,  by  which  he  was  at 
tended  to  the  town  of  Wrentham. 

At  Wrentham,  he  reviewed  the  3d  regiment  of  in 
fantry,  commanded  by  colonel  Gowen,  passed  on  to 
"Walpole,  where  he  halted  a  few  moments,  and  pro- 


92  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ceeded  on  his  route  to  Dedham,  at  which  place  he 
arrived  about  7  o'clock  in  the  evening. 

His  entrance  was  honoured  by  a  national  salute 
from  the  battalion  of  artillery,  commanded  by  ma 
jor  Holbrook,  which,  with  the  regiment  of  infantry, 
under  colonel  Fisher,  he  immediately  after  reviewed. 

At  the  mansion  of  Mr.  Dowse,  in  the  neighbour 
hood,  the  President  took  up  his  quarters  for  the 
night,  and  received  the  personal  salutations  of  major- 
general  Dearborn,  and  a  committee  from  the  town  of 
Salem. 

The  cavalry  escort,  under  the  command  of  major 
Hollis,  from  general  Dearborn's  brigade,  being  in 
readiness  early  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  of  July,  the 
President,  accompanied  by  commodore  Bainbridge, 
general  Miller,  Mr.  Mason,  his  secretary,  and  co 
lonel  Sumner,  his  designated  staff,  and  followed  by 
a  long  train  of  officers  of  the  army  and  navy  of  the 
United  States,  by  major-general  Crane  and  the  of 
ficers  of  his  division,  and  the  citizens  of  Norfolk 
county,  on  horseback,  advanced  to  Roxbury. 

Pursuing  his  route  from  Roxbury,  to  the  Boston 
lines,  he  reviewed  a  regiment  of  infantry  under  co 
lonel  Dudley,  and  a  battalion  of  artillery  under  ma 
jor  Gale,  and  passing  through  the  guard,  consisting 
of  captain  Turner's  company  of  riflemen  from  Ran 
dolph,  and  a  light  infantry  company  from  Quincy, 
he  attained  the  southern  barrier  of  the  town. 

To  make  suitable  provisions  for  his  reception  in 
the  metropolis  of  Massachusetts ;  for  the  purpose  of 
adopting  proper  measures,  to  testify  their  high  re- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  93 

spect  for  the  character  of  the  President  of  the  Uni 
ted  States;  and  to  make  such  arrangements  as 
should  render  his  visit  agreeable  and  satisfactory ; 
the  inhabitants  of  that  flourishing  city,  had  assem 
bled  in  town  meeting,  without  respect  to  party.  A 
committee  was  appointed  in  conjunction  with  the  se-» 
lectmen,  to  receive  him  on  the  lines,  and  to  present 
him  with  a  respectful  and  congratulatory  address. 
They  were  instructed  also,  to  make  such  other  dis 
positions,  as  would  comport  with  the  reputation  of 
their  city,  and  be  consonant  with  the  illustrious  cha 
racter  of  its  distinguished  guest.  This  committee 
was  composed  of  the  leading,  and  most  respectable 
men  of  all  political  parties,  and  their  arrangements 
were  calculated  at  once  to  promote  the  utmost  har 
mony,  and  to  display  the  munificence  of  Boston,  and 
the  public  spirit  of  its  citizens. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  the  gentlemen  ap 
pointed. 

The  honourable  HARRISON  GRAY  OTIS — The 
honourable  WILLIAM.  GRAY— -  General  ARNOLD 
WELLS — Colonel  JAMES  T.  AUSTIN — WILLIAM 
SULLIVAN,  esq. — Col.  GEORGE  BLAKE — Colonel 
WILLIAM  H.  SUMNER — BENJAMIN  RUSSELL,  esq. 
— The  honourable  ISRAEL  THORNDIKE — General 
HENRY  DEARBORN — The  honourable  T.  H.  PER 
KINS — JAMES  PRINCE,  esq. — and  doctor  AARON 
HILL. 

In  the  execution  of  these  instructions,  the  me.nv 
bers  of  the  committee,  were  at  the  limits  of  Bos- 


94  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ton,  at  the  instant  of  the  President's  arrival,  when 
the  honourable  Mr.  Otis  thus  addressed  him. 

«  Sir — You  are  now  arrived  within  the  limits  of 
Boston,  and  these  gentlemen  are  a  committee,  ap 
pointed  to  welcome  your  approach,  and  escort  you 
to  your  lodgings.  Upon  your  arrival  there,  they 
will  avail  themselves  of  your  permission,  to  express 
to  you,  in  a  more  formal  and  respectful  mode,  than 
can  be  done  here,  the  assurance  of  the  unfeigned  sa 
tisfaction  which  the  citizens  of  Boston  realise,  in 
the  honour  you  have  been  pleased  to  confer  upon 
them  by  this  visit." 

A  procession  was  then  formed  in  the  following 
order. 

Cavalry  escort,  under  the  command  of  major  Phelps,  composed 
of  the  Boston  Hussars,  and  the  Boston  Dragoons. 

James  Prince,  esq.  marshal  of  Massachusetts  district,  and  Samuel 

Bradford,  esq.  sheriff  of  Suffolk  county. 

Part  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  on  horseback. 

Honourable  H.  G.  Otis,  acting  chairman. 

Two  marshals. 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 
on  an  elegant  dun  courser,  accompanied  by  general  Swift  and 

Mr.  Mason. 
Two  marshals. 

Navy  and  Army  officers  of  the  United  States. 

United  States  officers  of  the  civil  department. 

Colonel  Freeman,  police  officer. 

Charles  Bullfinch,  esq.  chairman,  and  residue  of  the  Committee: 
of  Arrangements,  in  carriages. 

Two  marshals. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  95 

Honourable  Thomas  H.  Perkins. 
Leader  of  the  Boston  cavalcade  attended  by  two  marshals. 

Boston  cavalcade. 
Major-general  Crane,  Brigadier-generals  Dearborn  and  Guild, 

and  suites. 
Field,  regimental,  staff,  and  company  officers,  of  Norfolk  militia. 

Cavalry  corps  of  Norfolk. 
Squadrons  of  cavalry  from  the  first  and  second  brigades,  first 

division. 

Citizens  of  Norfolk,  and  other  counties,  mounted. 
Line  of  carriages  from  Boston. 

Thus  formed,  the  procession  moved  through  Wash 
ington  street,  and  Orange  street,  to  Boylston  mar 
ket,  and  thence  through  Boylston  street,  to  an  open 
ing  in  the  common,  between  the  Mall  and  Gunhouse, 
where  the  President  reviewed  the  youth  of  the  dif 
ferent  schools  in  Boston,  who,  attended  by  their 
several  instructors,  had  been  arranged  in  distinct 
order,  in  two  opposite  ranks,  and  to  about  the  num 
ber  of  three  thousand,  extended  along  the  whole 
eastern  side  of  the  common. 

From  the  common,  the  procession  continued  its 
direction  towards  the  State  House,  to  a  point  oppo 
site  the  west  end  of  Winter  street,  thence  across  the 
Mall,  through  Winter  street,  Marlborough  street, 
and  Cornhill,  then  along  the  north  side  of  the  Old 
State  House  and  State  street,  and  by  the  east  side 
of  Bond  street,  as  far  as  Milk  street,  and  thence  by 
the  west  side  of  Bond  street  to  State  street.  This 
street  was  decorated  with  the  flags  of  the  union,  and 


96  'A  NARRATIVE  OF ' 

as  the  cavalcade  proceeded  through  it,  to  Congress 
street,  a  band  of  music,  placed  in  the  front  of  the 
upper  story  of  the  Union  Bank,  saluted  the  Presi 
dent  with  a  number  of  appropriate  and  patriotic 
airs.  At  the  head  of  Congress  street,  the  procession 
halted,  where  his  excellency  and  the  committee  of 
arrangements,  left  the  line  of  march,  and  being  re 
ceived  by  the  Independent  Company  of  Cadets,  un 
der  lieutenant-colonel  Rodgers,  with  the  customary 
salutes,  was  conducted  to  the  rooms  provided  for  his 
reception,  in  the  Exchange  Coffee  House.  In  the 
mean  time  salutes  had  been  fired  from  Dorchester 
.heights,  from  the  common,  from  Fort  Independence, 
from  the  Navy  yard,  and  from  the  seventy-four  gun 
ship  Independence,  and  flags  were  displayed,  from 
the  numerous  merchant  vessels  then  in  the  harbour. 

The  windows  of  the  houses  in  the  streets  through 
which  the  procession  passed,  were  thronged  with 
ladies  and  other  spectators,  anxious  to  obtain  a  view 
of  the  distinguished  citizen,  uppn  whom  had  been 
bestowed  the  highest  honour  in  the  gift  of  his 
country. 

Upon  entering  the  Exchange,  the  President  was 
shown  into  the  second  gallery  of  that  magnificent 
building,  the  first,  third  and  fourth,  as  well  as  the 
area,  being  crowded  by  a  numerous  assemblage  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen,  where  the  committee,  by  their 
chairman,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens,  read  to  him  the 
following  address. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  97 


•**  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sir — The  citizens  of  Boston,  by  their  commit 
tee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  beg  leave  to  offer  you 
their  cordial  and  respectful  salutations,  upon  your 
arrival  in  this  metropolis. 

"  The  visit  with  which  you  are  pleased  to  honour 
them,  recals  to  the  recollection  of  many,  their  inter 
view  with  your  illustrious  predecessor,  the  father  of 
his  country,  on  a  similar  occasion.  They  remember 
with  great  satisfaction,  the  hope,  the  confidence,  and 
the  fond  anticipation  of  national  prosperity,  which 
Ids  presence  inspired;  and  it  is  now,  sir,  a  subject 
of  congratulation  to  you,  and  to  themselves,  that, 
after  thirty  years  of  eventful  experiment,  during 
conflicts  and  revolutions  in  the  old  world,  which 
have  threatened  all,  and  subverted  many,  of  its  an 
cient  governments,  the  constitution  which  was  adopt 
ed,  under  the  auspices  of  that  great  man,  has  ac 
quired  vigour  and  maturity ;  and  that  in  a  season  of 
profound  peace,  his  successor  is  permitted,  by  the 
prosperous  state  of  public  affairs,  to  follow  his  ex 
ample  in  visiting  the  extensive  country  over  which 
he  has  recently  been  called  to  preside. 

"  While  this  journey  affords  to  many  of  your  fel 
low  citizens  the  opportunity  and  advantage  of  com 
mencing  with  you  a  personal  acquaintance,  which  is 
always  desirable  between  a  people  and  their  rulers, 
they  rejoice,  at  the  same  time,  in  the  belie."  that  the 

local  information,  relative  to  the  great  and  various 

i 


98  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

interests  of  the  United  States,  which  you  will  derive 
from  actual  observation,  will  facilitate  your  arrange 
ments  for  their  defence  and  security,  and  enable  you 
to  apply,  in  practice,  with  additional  confidence  and 
success,  those  principles  of  an  elevated  and  impar 
tial  policy,  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  promul 
gate,  as  the  basis  of  your  intended  administration. 
Called  to  the  service  of  your  country  at  an  early  pe 
riod  of  life,  and  distinguished  in  the  arduous  strug 
gle  which  obtained  its  independence;  your  subse 
quent  occupations,  in  successive  important  offices, 
and  various  departments,  at  home  and  abroad,  have 
afforded  you  the  means  of  becoming  conversant  with 
the  foreign  and  domestic  relations  of  the  nation ;  and, 
with  these  qualifications,  you  are  now  raised  to  the 
highest  dignity  which  can  be  conferred  by  a  free 
people.  These  public  claims  to  consideration  and 
attention  from  all  descriptions  of  your  fellow*  citi 
zens,  are  cheerfully  admitted  by  the  citizens  of  Bos 
ton,  who  are  also  desirous  of  evincing  their  respect 
for  the  unblemished  tenor  of  your  private  character, 
and  their  sense  of  the  urbanity  and  hospitality  which 
peculiarly  characterised  your  deportment,  towards 
all  those  of  your  countrymen,  who,  during  the  pe 
riod  of  your  foreign  embassies,  were  so  fortunate  as 
to  come  within  the  sphere  of  your  civilities  and  pro 
tection.  It  is  therefore  with  real  satisfaction,  that 
they  receive  you  within  the  precincts  of  Boston,  and 
they  pray  you  to  be  assured  of  their  earnest  solici 
tude,  to  contribute  by  all  means  at  their  command, 
to  your  comfort  and  enjoyment,  during  your  resi- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  99 

dence  in  this  town.  They  also,  confiding  in  the  rec 
titude  of  your  intentions,  and  trusting  that  the  pow 
ers  vested  in  you  by  the  constitution,  will  be  exer 
cised  with  a  sincere  regard  to  the  welfare  of  the 
people,  whose  precious  interests  are  committed  to 
your  charge,  avail  themselves  on  this  occasion,  to 
express  their  ardent  hope,  that  the  favourable  cir 
cumstances  which  attend  the  commencement  of  your 
administration,  may,  with  the  blessing  of  heaven, 
under  your  guidance,  concur  to  promote  the  advance 
ment  of  our  beloved  country,  to  the  liighest  possible 
condition  of  prosperity. 

"  With  these  sentiments,  they  unite  their  best 
wishes,  for  your  health  and  happiness,  and  that  the 
course  and  close  of  your  administration,  may  entitle 
you  to  the  gratitude  and  affections  of  your  consti 
tuents,  and  the  respect  of  posterity. 

•'*  By  order  of  the  committee. 

"  CHARLES  BULLFINCH,  Chairman." 

The  President  replied : 

*•  Fellow  Citizens — The  kind  reception  which  you 
have  given  me,  on  the  part  of  the  citizens  of  Boston, 
and  which  their  conduct  has  so  fully  confirmed,  has 
made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  on  my  mind,  which 
you  will  have  the  goodness  to  communicate  to  them. 

6<  As  no  person  is  more  willing  than  I  am,  in 
the  discharge  of  my  duty,  according  to  the  fair  ex 
ercise  of  my  judgment,  to  take  example  from  the 
conduct  of  the  distinguished  men  who  have  preceded 


lj)0  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

me  in  this  high  trust,  it  is  particularly  gratifying  to 
me,  to  have  recalled,  hy  this  incident,  to  the  memory 
of  many  who  are  now  present,  a  like  visit,  from  the 
illustrious  commander  of  our  revolutionary  army, 
who,  by  many  other  important  services,  had  so  just 
a  claim  to  the  revered  title,  of  father  of  his  country. 

"  It  was  natural,  that  the  presence  of  a  citizen  so 
respected  and  beloved,  who  had  so  eminently  contri 
buted  to  the  establishment  of  his  government,  and 
to  whom  its  administration,  in  the  commencement, 
had  been  committed,  should  inspire  an  enlightened, 
a  virtuous,  and  a  free  people,  with  unlimited  confi 
dence  in  its  success ;  and  it  is  a  cause  of  general 
felicitation  and  joy  to  us  all,  to  find,  that  thirty 
years  successful  experiment,  have  justified  that  con 
fidence,  and  realised  our  most  sanguine  hopes  in  its 
favour.  Yes !  fellow  citizens,  we  instituted  a  gov 
ernment  for  the  benefit  of  all ;  a  government  which 
should  secure  to  us  the  full  enjoyment  of  all  our 
rights,  religious  and  civil,  and  it  has  been  so  admin 
istered.  Let  us  then  unite  in  grateful  acknowledg 
ments,  to  the  supreme  Author  of  all  good,  for  extend 
ing  to  us  so  great  a  blessing.  Let  us  unite  in  fervent 
prayers,  that  he  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  conti 
nue  that  blessing  to  us  and  to  our  latest  posterity. 

(<  I  accepted  the  trust  to  which  I  have  been  called 
by  my  fellow  citizens,  with  diffidence,  because  I  well 
knew  the  frailty  of  human  nature,  and  had  often 
experienced  my  own  deficiencies.  I  undertook  this 
tour,  with  a  view,  and  in  the  hope,  of  acquiring 
knowledge,  which  might  enable  me  to  discharge  my 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  101 

various  and  important  duties,  with  greater  advantage 
to  my  country,  to  which  my  whole  mind  and  un 
wearied  efforts  shall  always  be  directed. 

66  In  pursuing  objects  so  dear  to  us  all,  I  rely  with 
confidence,  on  the  firm  and  generous  support  of  my 
fellow  citizens,  throughout  our  happy  union. 

"  JAMES  MONROE.'- 

Accompanied  by  his  suite,  and  other  officers,  the 
President,  on  the  following  morning,  walked  to  the 
quarters  of  general  Miller,  in  Winter  street,  where 
he  breakfasted. 

At  nine  o'clock,  attended  by  commodores  Bain- 
bridge,  Hull,  and  Perry,  generals  Dearborn  and 
Miller,  H.  A.  S.  Dearborn,  esq.  collector  of  the 
port,  James  Prince,  esq.  marshal,  and  several  gen 
tlemen  from  the  committee  of  arrangement,  general 
Humphreys,  and  the  honourable  Messrs.  Jones  and 
Burrill,  of  Providence,  the  President  embarked  in 
a  barge  at  Long  wharf,  two  other  barges  being  pro 
vided  for  his  suite,  and  proceeded  to  Long  Island 
Head,  whence  he  had  a  commanding  view  of  the 
whole  harbour  of  Boston.  As  the  company  ap 
proached  the  Independence  seventy-four,  the  crew 
of  that  vessel  performed  the  high  naval  honours,  of 
manning  the  yards,  and  firing  a  national  salute. 
The  Fort  Independence,  repeated  this  salute,  as  soon 
as  the  barges  came  within  range  of  the  battery. 

From  Long  Island  Head,  after  viewing  the  Nar 
rows,  and  the  outer  harbour,  the  President  returned 
to  Fort  Independence,  where  he  landed,  examined  its 
I  2 


10£  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

condition,  and  partook  of  a  handsome  collation,  pro 
vided  by  the  commanding  officer,  colonel  Eustis. 
The  barges  were  then  rowed  to  the  opposite  garri 
son  of  Fort  Warren,  the  works  of  which  underwent 
a  strict  inspection  from  the  President,  who  immedi 
ately  returned  to  the  city,  and  landed  at  the  Long- 
wharf,  under  another  discharge  of  cannon.  In  the 
afternoon  lie  visited  his  excellency  governor  Brooks, 
at  his  seat  at  Medford  ;  in  the  evening  he  witnessed 
the  early  part  of  the  performance  at  the  amphitheatre 
in  Charlcstown,  and  attended  a  party  at  major- 
general  Dearborn's. 

The  forty-first  anniversary  of  the  independence 
of  the  United  States,  was  celebrated  in  Boston,  with 
an  unusual  degree  of  splendor  and  festivity.  A  coin 
cidence  so  striking  as  the  presence  of  a  chief  magis 
trate  on  a  day  of  public  rejoicing,  had  not  occurred 
since  the  time  of  the  illustrious  Washington.  The 
knowledge  too,  of  president  Monroe's  personal  and 
intimate  connexion,  with  the  eventful  war  of  the  re 
volution,  and  the  contiguity  of  the  memorable  scene 
of  its  commencement  at  Bunker's  Hill,  conspired  to 
animate  the  people  with  sentiments  of  pride  and  gra 
tification,  and  contributed  to  render  the  occasion 
peculiarly  interesting.  The  day  was  ushered  in  by 
the  discharge  of  morning  guns,  from  each  of  the  for 
tified  places;  and  at  a  very  early  hour,  the  streets 
were  thronged  with  citizens  and  soldiers,  all  anxious 
to  participate  in  the  contemplated  ceremonies  of  the 
day.  The  taste  and  talent,  of  the  best  artists,  had 
been  summoned  to  the  emblematical  decorations  of 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  103 

the  extensive  public  edifices,  in  and  about  the  city, 
and  the  aid  of  the  mechanic  was  not  wanting,  to  con 
tribute  to  the  pleasure  of  the  distinguished  guest,  to 
honour  whom,  was  the  evident  object  of  all  these 
preparations. 

Before  seven  o'clock,  president  Monroe  had  al 
ready  visited  several  workshops  in  Boston,  and  ex 
amined  various  specimens  of  the  inventive  genius  of 
their  owners.  At  that  hour,  he  rode  to  the  country 
seat  of  commodore  Bainbridge,  at  the  neighbouring 
hamlet  of  Brookline,  where  he  breakfasted  with  that 
officer,  his  family,  and  some  distinguished  citizens, 
who  composed  the  company. 

From  Brookline  he  repaired,  through  Brighton, 
to  "Watertown,  where  he  examined  the  manufactur 
ing  establishments,  and  the  public  arsenal,  and 
thence  continued  his  ride  to  the  mansion  of  the  hon 
ourable  Mr.  Gore,  near  Waltham.  At  noon  he  re 
turned  to  Boston.  At  his  apartments  in  the  ex 
change,  the  society  of  Cincinnati  of  Massachusetts, 
then  in  waiting,  were  individually  presented  to  him, 
and  an  address,  which,  at  a  recent  meeting,  had  been 
unanimously  voted,  was  delivered  by  the  vice-presi 
dent,  colonel  Tudor,  the  president,  governor  Brooks, 
by  whom  it  was  signed,  being  on  some  executive 
duties  elsewhere. 


**  To  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sir — Whilst  meeting  you  as  one  of  our  most 
distinguished  brothers,  permit  us  especially  to  thank 


M)4  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

you  for  furnishing  an  opportunity  of  saluting  ano 
ther  chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States,  taken 
from  our  ranks,  and  to  offer  you  all  the  assurances, 
of  respect  and  affection,  which  it  becomes  a  society 
like  ours  to  present,  and  which  we  pray  you  to  ac* 
€ept  as  flowing  from  hearts,  first  united  hy  the  pow- 
orful  sympathies  of  common  toils  and  dangers. 

"  Although  time  is  fast  reducing  our  original  as 
sociates,  we  trust  that  whilst  one  remains  he  will  ne 
ver  desert  the  standard  of  freedom  and  of  his  coun 
try,  or  our  sons  forget  the  sacred  duties  their  sires 
had  sworn  to  discharge.  We  fought  to  ohtain  secu 
rity,  self-government  and  political  happiness ;  and 
the  man  who  can  approve  both  the  principles  and  the 
means,  can  never  be  indifferent  to  the  social  designs 
which  such  warfare  contemplated,  for  among  those 
purposes  were  included  the  restoration  of  good  hu 
mour,  good  manners,  good  neighbourhood,  politkal 
integrity,  with  a  spirit  of  mild  and  manly  patriot 
ism. 

*•'  We  congratulate  you  as  the  highest  representa 
tive  of  our  beloved  country,  that  party  animosity 
has  on  all  sides  so  far  subsided,  before  the  day -star 
of  sound  national  policy,  and  we  look  with  confi 
dence  to  a  wise  and  liberal  administration  of  the  pre 
sidency  tu  procure  its  termination. 

"  And  now,  sir,  in  bidding  you  a  long  farewel, 
for,  from  our  lessening  numbers,  such  another  occa 
sion  can  scarcely  again  occur,  we  join  our  best  wish 
es,  that  when  you  shall  seek  a  retreat  from  the  ho 
nourable  fatigues  of  public  energies,  in  which  so 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  105 

large  a  portion  of  your  life  has  been  employed,  that 
your  retirement  may  be  accompanied  by  the  ap 
plause  of  the  wise,  and  the  concurrent  blessings  of 
a  prosperous  and  united  republican  empire.  • 

"  JOHN  BROOKS." 

The  President  communicated  the  following  re- 

ply. 

*•'  Sir — The  affectionate  address  of  my  brothers  of 
Cincinnati  awakens  in  my  mind  the  most  grateful 
emotions.  No  approbation  can  be  more  dear  to  me 
than  that  of  those  with  whom  I  have  had  the  honour 
to  share  the  common  toils  and  perils  of  the  war  for 
our  independence. 

"  We  were  embarked  in  the  same  sacred  cause  of 
liberty,  and  we  have  lived  to  enjoy  the  reward  of  our 
common  labours.  Many  of  our  companions  in  arms 
fell  in  the  field  before  our  independence  was  achiev 
ed,  and  many,  less  fortunate  than  ourselves,  lived 
not  to  witness  the  perfect  fulfilment  of  their  hopes,  in 
the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  our  country.  You  do 
but  justice  to  yourselves  in  claiming  the  confidence 
of  your  country,  that  you  can  never  desert  the  stand 
ard  of  freedom.  You  fought  to  obtain  it,  in  times 
when  men's  hearts  and  principles  were  severely  tri 
ed,  and  your  public  sacrifices  and  honourable  ac 
tions  are  the  best  pledges  of  your  sincere  and  devo 
ted  attachment  to  our  excellent  constitution. 

66  May  your  children  never  forget  the  sacred  du 
ties  devolved  on  them  to  preserve  the  inheritance  so 


106  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

gallantly  acquired  by  their  fathers.  May  they  rul- 
ti\  ate  the  same  manly  patriotism,  the  same  disinter 
ested  friendship,  and  the  same  political  integrity, 
which  has  distinguished  you.  and  tbus  unite  in  per- 
pctuathi£  that  social  concord  and  public  virtue,  on 
which  the  t'utuiv  prosperity  of  our  country  must  so 
essentially  de])end. 

I  feel  most  deeply  the  truth  of  the  melancholy  suii;- 
£vstton,  that  ^e  shall  probably  meet  no  more.  While, 
ho\ve\er.  \\e  remain  in  lite,  I  shall  continue  to  hope 
tor  your  countenance  and  support,  so  far  as  my  pub 
lic  conduct  may  entitle  me  to  your  confidence  :  and, 
in  bidding  you  tare\vel,  I  pray  a  kind  providence 
loiii;  to  preserve  your  valuable  U\es  for  the  honour 
and  benefit  of  our  country. 

••  J  VMV.S  MOXT?OE. 
«*  To  his  excellency  governor  Hrooks.  president  of 

the  Cincinnati  of  Massachusetts." 

This  ceremony  of  the  Cincinnati  beiu^  comple 
ted,  the  IVesident  accompanied  the  members  of  that 
body  to  the  Old  South  Church,  \\here.  after  prayer 
by  the  Ke\ .  Mr.  Varkman.  an  elegant  and  patriotic 
oration  v\as  pronounced  by  Kd\\ard  T.  Channini;. 
e->(|.  A  procession  was  then  formed,  and  bein^joiu- 
ed  b>  the  Tresident  and  the  Ciiuinnati.  \\as  escort 
ed  by  the  Independent  Cadets,  to  the  ^reat  hall  in 
lae  Si.ue  lltuise.  Alter  an  interchange  of  the  felici 
tations  of  the  day.  a  numerous  assemblage  of  gentle 
men,  partook,  with  the  President,  of  an  elegant  and 
sumptuous  collation,  which  had  been  provided  by 


I  UK  PRESIDENT'S   TO<   I,  \(ff 

order  of  1  lie  cxe< utivc  of  the  state.    The  \\hole  ; 
of  the  building  \vsis  decorated  vvilli  stars,  pyramids, 
and  festoons,  formed  by  the  combination  of  mi- 
Weapon^ entwined   with  olive  and  laurel.     At  tii  hie, 
tin-  following  toasts  were,  given. 

It-tf  Ida  wr.dl.rw.y  ) [lit  governor — The  day,  and  the 
ret  olh'ction  of  the  events  and  ch;jr;i'J<TS  which  this 
anniversary  m  als,  uniting  all  hearts. 

Ily  the  President  of  Mir,   i'mli-d  SI  (dm— The  coni- 
monwealth  of  Massachusetts — whose  sons  so   emr 
nently  contributed  txj  tbe independence  v»c  this  day 
celebrate* 

liy  the  lieutenant  governor — The  heroes  of  the  re,- 
volution — their  services  claim,  and  will  rcrciw, 
th<;  grateful  acknowledgments  of  succeeding  gene 
rations. 

in  the  afternoon  the   President,  visited  the  JUMP, 
ries  in  FancuiJ  Hall,  with  the  tasteful   arrangement 
of  the  arms  and  military  c-quipments  in  which,  h< 
pressed  much  gratification.     At  five  o'clock,  h< 
ned  with  the  Cincinnati  at  Concert  Hall,  and  spent, 
the  evening  at  the   honourable   W  iJJiain*  (iray's   in 
Summer  street.     In  the;  course  of  the,  <hir,   he  re- 
<  ejvwl  Uie  address  of  a  deputation,  from  the  minority 
of  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts,  which,  with  his 
answer,  is  here  inserted. 

*•'  To  tkt  President  oj'the  United  State*. 

"Sir — The  recent  session  of  the  legislature  of  Mas 
sachusetts  being  closed  previously  to  your  arrival  in 


108  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

Boston,  the  republican  members,  of  both  branches, 
are  deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  personally  paying 
their  respects  to  the  President  of  the  United  States. 
Those  members  therefore  who  were  present  at  the 
adjournment,  together  with  a  number  of  their  breth 
ren  of  Boston,  have  deputed  us  to  offer  you  their 
congratulations  on  your  arrival,  and  to  express  their 
high  regards  for  your  official  and  personal  charac 
ter. 

"  We  are  happy,  sir,  in  having  this  opportunity, 
not  only  of  expressing  our  sincere  congratulations  on 
your  election  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  United 
States,  by  so  large  a  majority  of  the  electors,  but  to 
bear  this  public  testimony  of  our  estimation  of  the 
services  rendered  your  country  in  the  various  sta 
tions  in  which  you  have  heretofore  officiated  in  Eu 
rope  and  America. 

These  are  sure  pledges  that  the  prosperity  of  the 
American  republic  will  be  the  object  of  your  pur 
suit;  and  that,  while  you  are  desirous  of  allaying 
the  asperity  of  party  dissentions,  you  will  be  anxious 
to  maintain«the  legitimate  principles  of  the  constitu 
tion  with  unabated  ardour. 

The  patriot,  who  has  uniformly  supported  the  ho 
nour  of  his  country  in  its  various  conflicts,  is  ever 
entitled  to  the  applause  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

Fully  impressed  with  this  sentiment,  we  grateful 
ly  acknowledge  your  unremitted  exertions  in  vindi 
cating  our  national  and  commercial  claims,  when  the 
immediate  calls  of  the  country  rendered  the  servi 
ces  of  our  most  enlightened  statesmen  urgent  and 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  109 

indispensable.  We  anticipate,  with  pleasure,  the 
blessings  arising  to  the  United  States,  from  the  wis 
dom  and  rectitude  of  your  administration,  more  par 
ticularly  in  patronising  such  institutions  as  will  ex 
tend  the  useful  branches  of  science  and  literature, 
and  promote  the  agricultural,  manufacturing  and 
commercial  interests  of  your  constituents. 

"  We  wish  you  every  blessing,  both  national  and 
domestic,  and  trust  that  your  name  will  be  record 
ed  in  the  American  annals,  with  the  same  respectful 
veneration  as  distinguishes  the  characters  of  your 
illustrious  predecessors,  Washington,  Adams,  Jef 
ferson  and  Madison. 

66  May  you  pursue  your  journey  under  the  care  of 
a  benign  providence,  happy  in  the  reflection  that  the 
personal  safety  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  a  repub 
lican  government,  requires  no  other  protection  than 
what  arises  from  the  affections  of  his  fellow  citizens. 
(i  In  behalf  of  our  brethren  and  fellow  citizens,  we 
most  cordially  bid  you  welcome  to  the  metropolis  of 
Massachusetts. 

"  HENRY  DEARBORN,         "  RUSSELL  STURGIS, 
•*  BENJAMIN  AUSTIN,         "  JACOB  RHOADES, 
"  THOMAS  MELVILLE,         "  JOHN  BRAZIER, 
"  WILLIAM  LITTLE,          «  WILLIAM  INGALLS* 

66  Committee" 

THE  ANSWER. 

*•'  I  have  received,  with  great  satisfaction,  the  very 
friendly  welcome  which  you  have  given  me,  on  the 

K 


110  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

part  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  legislature  of 
Massachusetts,  and  of  others,  citizens  of  Boston, 
who  had  deputed  you  to  offer  me  their  congratula 
tions  on  my  arrival  in  this  metropolis.  Conscious  of 
having  exerted  my  hest  faculties,  with  unwearied 
zeal,  to  support  the  rights,  and  advance  the  prospe 
rity  of  my  fellow  citizens,  in  the  various  important 
trusts  with  which  I  have  been  honoured  by  my  coun 
try,  the  approbation  which  you  have  expressed  of 
my  conduct  is  very  gratifying  to  me.  It  has  been 
my  undeviating  effort,  in  every  situation  in  which  I 
have  been  placed,  to  promote  to  the  utmost  of  my  abi 
lities,  the  success  of  our  republican  government.  I 
have  pursued  this  policy,  from  a  thorough  conviction 
that  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of  the  whole  Ame 
rican  people  depended  on  the  success  of  the  great 
experiment  which  they  have  been  called  upon  to 
make.  All  impartial  persons  now  bear  testimony 
to  the  extraordinary  blessings  with  which  we  have 
been  favoured.  Well  satisfied  I  am,  that  these  bless 
ings  arc  to  be  imputed  to  the  excellence  of  our  go 
vernment,  and  to  the  wisdom  and  purity  with  which 
it  has  been  administered. 

"  Believing  that  there  is  not  a  section  of  our  union, 
nor  a  citizen  who  is  not  interested  in  the  success  of 
our  government,  I  indulge  a  strong  hope  that  they 
will  all  unite,  in  future,  in  the  measures  necessary 
to  secure  it.  For  this  very  important  change,  I 
consider  the  circumstances  of  the  present  epoch  pe 
culiarly  favourable.  The  success  and  unexampled 
prosperity  with  which  we  have  hitherto  been  bless- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  Ill 

ed,  must  have  dispelled  the  doubts,  of  all  who  had 
before  honestly  entertained  any,  of  the  practicabi 
lity  of  our  system,  and  from  these  a  firm  and  ho 
nourable  co-operation  may  fairly  be  expected.  Our 
union  has  also  of  late  acquired  much  strength.  The 
proofs  which  have  been  afforded  of  the  great  advan 
tages  communicated  by  it  to  every  foreign  part,  and 
of  the  ruin  which  would  inevitably  and  promptly 
overwhelm  even  the  parts  most  favoured,  if  it  should 
be  broken,  seem  to  have  carried  conviction  home  to 
the  bosoms  of  the  most  unbelieving.  On  the  means 
necessary  to  secure  success,  and  to  advance  with  in 
creased  rapidity,  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  our 
country,  there  seems  now  to  be  but  little,  if  any, 
difference  of  opinion. 

"  It  is  on  these  grounds  that  I  indulge  a  strong 
hope,  and  even  entertain  great  confidence,  that  our 
principal  dangers  and  difficulties  have  passed,  and 
that  the  character  of  our  deliberations,  and  the  course 
of  the  government  itself,  will  become  more  harmo 
nious  and  happy  than  it  has  heretofore  been. 

"  Satisfied  as  I  am,  that  the  union  of  the  whole 
community,  in  support  of  our  republican  government, 
by  all  wise  and  proper  measures,  will  effectually  se 
cure  it  from  danger,  that  union  is  an  object  to  which 
I  look  with  the  utmost  solicitude.  I  consider  it  my 
duty  to  promote  it  on  the  principles,  and  for  the  pur 
poses  stated,  and  highly  gratified  shall  I  be  if  it  can 
be  obtained.  In  frankly  avowing  this  motive,  I  owe 
it  to  the  integrity  of  my  views  to  state,  that  as  the 


112  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

support  of  our  republican  government  is  my  sole  ob 
ject,  and  in  which  I  consider  the  whole  community 
equally  interested,  my  conduct  will  be  invariably 
directed  to  that  end.  In  seeking  to  accomplish  so 
great  an  object,  I  shall  be  careful  to  avoid  such  mea 
sures  as  may  by  any  possibility  sacrifice  it. 

» <  ,T  \ME  s  MONROE .  '•* 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


Inspection  of  the  Navy  Yard — the  President  boards 
the  Independence  seventy -four — Midshipman  King's 
Narrative — Charlestown — address  of  the  Citizens 
— the  President  repairs  to  Bunker  Hill — Middle 
sex  Canal — Oratorio — visit  to  Cambridge  College 
— address  of  the  Faculty — the  degree  of  Doctor  of 
Laws  conferred  on  the  President — review  of  the 
Boston  troops — Quincy. 

INDEFATIGABLE  as  the  President  had  been  in  the 
examination  of  the  public  works,  upon  the  Boston 
station,  the  navy  yard  on  Mystic  river,  near  Charles- 
town,  had  not  yet  been  inspected.  On  the  morning 
of  Saturday,  the  5th,  he  therefore  performed  that 
duty,  and  honoured  captain  Hull,  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  station,  with  his  company  to  breakfast, 
after  which  he  was  received  on  board  the  Independ 
ence  seventy-four,  by  commodore  Bainbridge,  under 
a  national  salute.  The  ship  was  handsomely  dress 
ed  off,  with  the  flags  of  all  the  nations  in  amity  with 
the  United  States,  and  a  sumptuous  collation  was 
prepared,  to  which  the  commodore  had  invited  the 
general  staff,  and  most  of  the  naval,  military,  and 
civil  officers.  The  President,  having  allotted,  this 


114  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

day  for  his  visit  to  the  monument  of  the  brave  and 
lamented  general  Warren,  at  Bunker  Hill,  did  not 
remain  long  on  board  the  seventy -four.  While  there, 
however,  commodore  Bainbridge,  with  that  atten 
tion  to  the  interests  of  those  under  his  command 
which  so  strongly  characterises  him,  on  presenting 
his  officers,  detained  acting  midshipman  King,  while 
he  mentioned  his  escape,  alone,  in  an  open  boat  from 
Bermuda.  The  following  is  the  statement  made 
on  that  occasion,  by  midshipman  King  himself, 
to  the  President.  «  I  was  taken  in  the  United 
States  brig  Vixen,  on  the  twenty -third  of  Novem 
ber,  1812,  by  his  Britannic  majesty's  ship  South 
ampton,  commanded  by  sir  James  Yeo.  The  Vixen 
and  Southampton  were  wrecked  on  the  27th  of  No 
vember,  on  Little  Island,  one  of  the  Bahamas.  We 
were  taken  off  Little  Island  by  his  majesty's  brig 
Rhodian,  and  taken  to  Jamaica,  where  we  were  kept 
prisoners  until  the  3d  of  April,  1813,  when  a  part 
of  the  Vixen's  crew  were  paroled,  myself  among  the 
number,  and  sent  home  in  the  Rebecca  Sims  of  Phi 
ladelphia.  We  entered  the  Delaware  on  the  3d  of 
May,  and  were  boarded  by  the  Poictiers  of  seventy- 
four  guns,  commanded  by  sir  John  P.  Berresford, 
who  ordered  us  to  come  to  anchor,  and  took  all  the 
officers  and  men  belonging  to  the  Vixen  on  board  the 
Poictiers,  for  the  purpose  of  exchanging  them  for 
some  of  his  crew,  then  prisoners  at  Philadelphia. 
The  officers  and  men  were  released  on  the  10th  of 
May,  with  the  exception  of  James  Stevens,  carpen 
ter  of  the  Vixen,  and  myself,  whom  sir  John  thought 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUK.  115 

proper  to  detain,  on  the  supposition  of  our  being 
British  subjects.  The  Poictiers  sailed  for  Bermuda 
on  the  25th  of  May.  Stevens  and  myself  were  sent 
on  board  the  guard  ship  Ruby,  of  sixty -four  guns, 
then  commanded  by  commodore  Evans.  The  Ruby 
had  a  "fine  boat,  which  sailed  remarkably  fast.  I 
mentioned  to  some  of  my  companions  in  captivity, 
that  we  might  venture  to  cross  the  gulf  in  her  with 
out  much  danger,  but  could  get  none  of  them  to  join 
me,  with  the  exception  of  a  man  by  the  name  of  John 
Black,  who  gave  his  assent,  and  gave  his  oath  that 
he  would  aid  me  in  any  scheme  for  our  liberty. 
Thinking  that  I  could  put  confidence  in  this  man, 
I  next  day  sold  some  shirts  to  some  of  the  crew,  and 
got  one  of  the  men  belonging  to  the  Ruby,  to  buy  me 
a  pocket  compass  and  four  loaves  of  bread.  Being 
six  or  eight  days  without  getting  any  chance  to  make 
my  escape,  and  our  mess  being  short  of  provision, 
I  gave  two  of  my  loaves  to  the  mess. 

"  The  24th  of  July  being  very  stormy,  and  con 
tinuing  so  during  the  night,  I  thought  it  would  be 
the  best  opportunity  I  could  get  of  going  off  with 
the  boat,  and  accordingly  watched  for  the  favourable 
moment.  About  eleven  o'clock,  P.  M.  a  heavy 
squall  of  rain  came  on,  and  the  sentry  on  the  gang 
way  went  under  a  shed  that  was  built  over  the  main 
hatchway,  and  the  officer  of  the  deck,  and  quarter 
master,  got  under  the  forward  part  of  the  poop. 
Seeing  the  coast  clear,  I  got  my  pocket  compass 
and  the  remaining  two  loaves  of  bread,  and  called 
my  companion.  We  got  down  on  the  lower  deck, 


116  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

and  unshipped  one  of  the  gratings  of  the  lower  deck 
port;  I  gave  rny  bundle  to  my  companion,  and  told 
him  to  remain  there,  until  I  could  get  the  boat  along 
side  ;  I  got  out  on  the  swinging  boom,  and  cut  the 
painter,  and  hauled  the  boat  close  in  to  the  side ;  but 
what  was  my  astonishment  when  my  companion, 
after  handing  me  the  bundle,  said  he  would  not  go! 
In  vain  did  I  state,  that  we  should  have  fair  wind 
one  half  the  way,  at  least,  owing  to  the  trade  winds, 
prevailing  in  that  latitude.  He  said  it  would  be  im 
possible  to  cross  the  gulf  in  an  open  boat,  and  men 
tioned  the  scantiness  of  our  provision.  Finding  that 
I  could  not  prevail  on  him  to  go,  I  shoved  off,  and  let 
the  boat  drift  astern  of  the  ship.  When  I  was  about 
an  hundred  yards  astern,  they  struck  a  bell,  and  the 
sentry  cried  all  was  well.  I  made  sail  as  soon  as 
possible,  and  at  daylight,  was  thirty  miles  from  the 
ship.  On  missing  the  boat  they  sent  several  vessels 
in  chase  of  me,  as  I  have  since  been  informed  by 
one  of  the  prisoners  on  board. 

"  I  had  several  squalls  between  Bermuda  and  the 
gulf-stream.  I  suffered  a  good  deal  for  want  of 
sleep,  and  did  every  thing  I  could  think  of  to  keep 
myself  awake.  My  lips  were  parched  with  the  sun ; 
I  used  to  irritate  them  with  my  fingers,  to  try  if  the 
pain  would  keep  me  awake ;  but  all  proved  ineffec 
tual.  I  often  got  asleep,  and  sometimes  when  I 
awoke,  would  find  the  boat  with  her  sails  aback,  and 
steering  a  different  course.  After  being  out  four 
days,  I  tried  to  steer  by  tying  my  hand  to  the  tiller, 
which  proved  to  be  very  useful  to  me,  the  rest  of  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  117 

passage.  I  suffered  a  good  deal  in  the  gulf,  owing 
?  to  the  continual  motion  of  the  boat.  I  saw  a  brig, 
but  thinking  that  she  was  an  Englishman,  I  was 
fearful  of  approaching  her.  I  made  Cape  Henry  on 
the  2d  of  August,  about  4  P.  M.  and  on  approaching 
the  lighthouse,  discovered  the  British  fleet  lying  in 
Lynnhaven  Bay.  I  hauled  to  the  southward,  and 
beached  the  boat  about  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  about 
ten  miles  to  the  southward  of  the  cape.  I  unbent  the 
boat's  jib,  and  carried  it  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  boat,  and  went  to  sleep.  I  got  up  about 
sunrise  next  morning,  and  went  to  Mr.  Whitehouse's 
dwelling,  who  treated  me  with  every  kindness  that 
my  situation  required.  I  proceeded  to  Norfolk,  after 
remaining  with  Mr.  Whitehouse  two  days,  when  I 
reported  myself  to  captain  Cassin,  who  advanced 
me  funds  to  get  to  Washington.  I  sold  my  boat  for 
thirty  dollars :  the  boat  was  about  twenty -two  feet 
long,  seven  feet  wide,  and  three  deep,  with  a  fore 
sail,  mainsail,  and  jib.  She  was  ballasted  with  fresh 
water  in  breakers." 

This  narrative  was  heard  by  the  President  with 
great  interest,  and  he  did  not  refrain  from  express 
ing  his  admiration  of  the  young  man's  intrepidity, 
and  fearless  disposition.  Upon  leaving  the  ship,  he 
was  again  honoured  with  a  salute,  and  was  received 
at  the  Navy  yard,  by  a  battalion  of  cavalry  of 
Charlestown,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Sweetser,  who 
escorted  him  to  the  square,  where  the  committee  of 
arrangement  were  in  waiting  for  him. 

A  meeting  had  been  held  in  Charlestown,  (the 


118  'A  NARRATIVE  OF 

honourable  Josiah  Bartlett,  moderator,)  at  which 
it  was  unanimously  voted,  that  the  selectmen,  toge 
ther  with  Josiah  Bartlett,  John  Kettell,  Joseph 
Hurd,  Samuel  Devens,  Timothy  Walker,  Setli 
Knowles,  Asahel  Stearns,  Leonard  M.  Parker, 
Thomas  Miller,  and  Timothy  Thompson,  be  a  com 
mittee,  to  make  such  arrangements  for  the  reception 
of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  as  the  dignity 
of  his  character  and  station,  claim  and  require. 

It  was  also  voted,  that  the  committee  be  authori 
sed  to  make  such  appropriations  of  money,  to  carry 
the  same  into  effect,  as  they  may  deem  necessary. 

This  committee  had  already  made  handsome  pre 
parations  for  the  reception  of  the  President,  and 
caused  an  arch,  composed  of  evergreen,  to  be  erect 
ed  at  the  principal  entrance  of  the  town.  From  the 
centre  of  this  arch,  was  suspended  a  chain  of  twenty 
links,  indicating  the  union  of  the  states,  and  hung  in 
two  festoons  to  the  sides.  On  the  arch,  above,  was 
inscribed,  "THE  15th  or  JUNE,  1775."  At  this  place 
Mr.  Bartlett  addressed  the  President  in  the  follow 
ing  words. 

"  We  have  the  honour,  sir,  in  behalf  of  the  inhabi 
tants  of  Charlestown,  respectfully  to  welcome  you 
to  tliis  ancient  settlement,  which  has  once  fallen  a 
sacrifice  to  freedom,  and  still  retains  some  vestiges 
of  the  revolutionary  war,  in  which  you  were  enga 
ged  at  an  early  period  of  life. 

"  We  cheerfully  unite  with  our  countrymen  in  the 
expressions  of  esteem  and  confidence,  to  which  your 
illustrious  character  and  station  entitle  vou:  and 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  119 

we  rejoice  that,  whilst  your  administration  has  com 
menced  under  such  auspicious  circumstances,  we  can 
anticipate  its  progress  with  public  approbation,  and 
its  termination,  with  renown  to  yourself  and  prospe 
rity  to  the  nation." 

To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  reply. 

"  It  is  highly  gratifying  to  me  to  meet  the  com 
mittee  of  Charlestown  upon  a  theatre  so  interesting 
to  the  United  States.  It  is  impossible  to  approach 
Bunker  Hill,  where  the  war  of  the  revolution  com 
menced,  with  so  much  honour  to  the  nation,  with 
out  being  deeply  affected.  The  blood  spilt  here, 
roused  the  whole  American  people,  and  united  them 
in  a  common  cause,  in  defence  of  their  rights. — 
That  union  will  never  be  broken. 

"  Be  pleased  to  accept  my  thanks  for  your  kind 
attention  on  this  interesting  occasion." 

Having  passed  through  an  avenue,  composed  of 
the  citizens,  with  the  fathers  of  tbe  town,  and  the 
reverend  clergy  at  their  head,  the  escort  moved  by 
the  principal  streets,  to  a  square,  formed  on  Breed's 
Hill,  by  twenty-one  companies  of  the  brigade  of 
general  Austin,  in  the  centre  of  which  stood,  the 

MOXUMENT  OF  W./LRHE7*. 

After  reviewing  the  whole  body  of  troops,  compo 
sed  of  colonel  Page's  regiment  of  infantry,  colonel 
Kendall's  regiment  of  artillery,  and  colonel  Sweet- 
ser's  battalion  of  cavalry,  the  President  partook  of 
some  refreshments,  which  had  been  provided  in  a 


120  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

marque,  pitched  for  the  occasion,  on  the  heights  of 
Bunker.  Captain  Wyman's  company  of  light  in 
fantry,  performed  the  guard  honours.  Three  of  the 
survivors  of  the  memorable  battle,  by  which  this 
spot  became  distinguished.  Mr.  Thomas  Miller,  Mr. 
T.  Thompson,  and  Mr.  John  Kettell,  were  present 
ed  at  the  marque,  and  conversed  with  the  Presi 
dent. 

The  directors  of  the  Middlesex  canal,  which  had 
been  opened  to  the  vast  timber  lands  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  and  which,  from  its  being  the  only  medium  of 
the  supply  of  materials  for  the  navy,  had  become  an 
object  of  national  importance,  invited  the  President 
to  view  the  most  contiguous  parts  of  that  great  work. 
A  spacious  roofed  boat  had  been  prepared,  at  the 
margin  of  the  canal,  in  which  he  embarked  with  his 
suite,  attended  by  the  directors  and  proprietors,  and 
accompanied  by  governor  Brooks,  general  Miller, 
commodores  Bainbridge  and  Perry,  lieutenant  go 
vernor  Phillips,  the  honourable  William  Gray,  judge 
Tudor,  doctors  Osgood  and  Townsend,  marshal 
Prince,  the  honourable  Mr.  Otis,  and  the  venerable 
ex-president  of  the  United  States,  John  Adams.  In 
the  course  of  the  passage,  the  great  object  of  the  ca 
nal,  its  extent  and  utility,  were  developed  to  the  Pre 
sident,  and  a  new,  and  accurate,  map  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  exhibiting  the  courses  of  the  river  Merri- 
mack,  was  laid  open  to  him.  The  company  passed 
the  aqueduct  of  Medford  River,  ascended  one  of 
the  principal  locks,  and  landed  at  the  seat  of  the  ho 
nourable  Peter  C.  Brooks,  when  they  partook  of 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  121 

some  refreshments,  and  proceeded  to  the  house  of 
the  governor  at  Medford,  where  the  whole  party 
had  been  previously  invited  to  dine. 

It  was  expected  that  the  President  would  have 
proceeded  further  up  the  canal,  to  Woburn,  and 
thence,  through  the  pleasure  grounds,  to  the  pavilion, 
at  each  of  which  places,  numbers  of  citizens,  and 
some  volunteer  veterans,  had  collected  to  receive 
him.  But  it  became  necessary  to  inform  them,  that 
the  pressing  engagements  of  the  President,  compell 
ed  him  on  many  similar  occasions,  to  forego  his  own 
inclinations. 

In  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  sacred  oratorio 
was  performed  at  Boston,  by  the  Handel  and  Haydn 
Society,  in  honour  of  the  President,  which  he  at 
tended  at  six  o'clock,  amid  a  crowded  and  brilliant 
audience.  The  remainder  of  the  evening  was  spent 
at  the  house  of  the  honourable  Mr.  Otis,  in  whose 
garden  was  exhibited,  a  very  splendid  exhibition  of 
rockets  and  other  fire-works. 

On  the  morning  of  Sunday,  the  6th,  the  honoura 
ble  Mr.  Lloyd,  commodores  Bainbridge  and  Perry, 
and  colonels  Sargent  and  House,  accompanied  the 
President  to  Christ  church.  His  approach  was  an 
nounced  to  the  wardens  by  the  honourable  Mr. 
Lloyd,  and  he  was  promptly  conducted  to  the  pew, 
belonging  to  commodore  Bainbridge.  The  service 
was  performed  by  the  reverend  Mr.  Eaton.  When 
public  worship  was  concluded,  he  was  conducted  by 
the  honourable  Mr.  Lloyd,  to  his  elegant  mansion 


122  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

and  gardens,  from  whence  he  took  a  view  of  the 
harbour. 

He  then  examined  the  celebrated  painting  of  colo 
nel  Sargent,  representing  the  entry  of  Christ  into 
Jerusalem,  and  expressed  much  admiration  of  the 
genius  of  the  painter,  as  well  as  at  Ms  choice  of  so 
sublime  a  subject. 

In  the  afternoon  he  again  attended  divine  service 
at  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chaning's  meeting-house,  in  Fede 
ral  street,  in  company  with  commodore  Perry,  colo 
nels  Perkins  and  Sargent,  and  George  Blake,  esq. 
and  upon  his  return  to  the  Exchange  Coffee  House, 
the  president  and  vice-president,  and  many  members 
of  the  Boston  Mechanic  Association,  were  severally 
introduced  to  him.  In  the  evening,  the  President 
made  a  visit  to  general  Humphreys. 

On  Monday  morning,  the  7th,  he  breakfast 
ed  with  lieutenant  governor  Phillips,  at  his  man 
sion  in  Trimant  street,  after  which,  he  visited 
the  extensive  literary  and  scientific  establishment, 
the  Athenseum.  At  10  o'clock  he  was  accompanied  to 
the  university  in  Cambridge,  at  the  entrance  to  the 
chapel  of  which,  he  was  received  by  the  Rev.  presi 
dent  Kirkland,  and  thence  conducted  into  the  draw 
ing  room,  where  all  the  professors,  tutors,  lecturers, 
and  instructors  were  individually  presented  to  him. 
The  galleries  of  the  chapel,  were  already  filled  with 
the  beauty  and  fashion  of  Boston  and  its  neighbour 
hood,  and  the  President  was  introduced  to  his  seat, 
amid  the  plaudits  of  the  assembly.  The  provost 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  123 

then  read  the  following  address  of  the  Corporation 
of  the  University. 

«  Sir — The  president  and  the  fellows  of  Harvard 
College  are  happy  in  an  opportunity  of  presenting 
their  respectful  salutations  to  the  chief  magistrate 
of  the  nation.  It  is  peculiarly  grateful  to  us  that  a 
visit  to  this  university  has  not  been  found  inconsist 
ent  with  those  objects  of  public  concern  which  en 
gage  the  attention  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  in  the  course  of  his  literary  progress. 

"  We  take  satisfaction  in  this  notice  of  our  semina 
ry,  as  evincing  your  estimation  of  liberal  studies,,  and 
your  interest  in  the  education  and  character  of  Ame 
rican  youth.  Our  academic  functions  cannot  fail  to 
derive  dignity  and  effect,  from  the  countenance  of  the 
civil  authorities,  and  our  pupils  to  find  incitements 
to  excellence  in  all  the  demonstrations  of  sympathy 
in  their  pursuits  and  destination,  given  by  those  who 
fill  exalted  stations. 

"  We  bid  you  welcome,  sir,  to  an  establishment  co 
eval  with  the  foundation  of  the  state,  and  the  object 
of  public  and  individual  favour,  through  many  succes 
sive  generations.  While,  however,  its  connexion 
with  the  history  of  past  times,  and  the  number  of 
sons  which,  in  the  lapse  of  two  centuries,  it  has  an 
nually  dismissed  from  its  care,  are  circumstances 
which  naturally  excite  a  degree  of  interest,  we  are 
sensible  that  antiquity  alone,  though  venerable,  is 
an  inadequate  basis  of  respect  from  men  of  intelli 
gence  and  reflection. 


124  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"  We  would  hope  that  this  cherished  seminary  has 
other,  and  stronger,  claims  to  complacent  regard 
from  every  friend  to  the  best  interests  of  man,  every 
patron  of  intellectual  and  moral  excellence. 

"With  the  rudiments  of  good  literature,  and  the 
elements  of  science,  it  has  been  the  constant  and 
elevated  aim  in  this  institution,  to  inspire  the  minds 
of  youth  with  those  principles  of  virtue  and  piety, 
with  those  manly  sentiments,  and  with  that  pure 
love  of  truth  and  duty,  which  are  best  calculated  to 
form  the  man  and  citizen. 

"  By  pursuing  such  a  course,  this  ancient  school 
has  sought  to  preserve  in  close  alliance,  the  inter 
ests  of  religion  and  learning,  of  faith  and  charity, 
of  liberty  and  order.  Desiring  &>  train  those  who 
are  under  our  charge  for  the  whole  public,  and  for 
mankind,  we  deem  it  an  essential  part  of  our  office, 
to  endeavour  to  temper  the  prejudices  and  feelings, 
incident  to  particular  attachments,  and  geographical 
divisions.  To  exhibit  the  evidence  and  authority  of 
our  common  faith,  with  a  due  moderation  in  respect 
to  peculiarities  of  opinion  and  mode,  and  to  encou 
rage  free  inquiries  into  the  nature,  the  value,  the 
dangers  and  the  preservatives,  of  our  republican  in 
stitutions,  with  a  just  reserve  upon  those  contro 
verted  questions  which  tend  to  inflame  the  spirit  of 
party. 

"We  present  to  your  view,  sir,  that  portion  of  the 
youth  of  our  country,  now  resident  within  these 
walls,  ajid  are  happy  to  bear  testimony  to  the  many 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  125 

pledges  they  give  of  their  regard  to  the  interesting 
objects  of  literary  pursuit,  and  to  those  attainments 
on  which  their  future  usefulness  must  depend. 

"  May  they,  and  all  the  sons  of  this  university,  ever 
cherish  those  generous  affections,  and  aim  at  those 
solid  acquirements  which  shall  hind  and  endear  them 
to  their  country,  and  render  them  approved  instru 
ments  in  advancing  the  interest  and  honour  of  our 
nation,  and  strengthening  and  protecting  its  precious 
institutions.  • 

"  In  these  indications  of  the  purposes  of  public  edu 
cation,  we  are  persuaded,  sir,  that  we  refer  to  ob 
jects  which  you  deem  worthy  of  high  regard, 

«  We  congratulate  you  on  the  auspicious  circum 
stances  wiiich  attend  the  commencement  of  your  ad 
ministration.  Accept  our  wishes  and  prayers  for 
its  happy  course  and  issue — and  indulge  the  expres 
sion  of  our  desire,  that  whilst  you,  by  the  favour  of 
heaven,  upon  the  exercise  of  the  appropriate  duties 
of  your  high  station,  obtain  the  happiness  of  seeing 
the  associated  communities,  over  which  you  preside, 
safe  and  prosperous,  it  may  be  our  privilege,  by 
fidelity  and  zeal  in  our  allotted  sphere,  under  the 
smiles  of  the  same  good  providence,  to  co-operate  in 
the  work  of  patriotism,  by  diffusing  the  light  of  know 
ledge  and  the  saving  influence  of  religion  and  mo 
rals. 

«•'  JOHN  T.  KIRKI.AND. 

"July  7, 1817." 


126  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

The  Reply  of  the  President. 

((  Sir — I  am  deeply  impressed  with  the  distin 
guished  attention,  with  which  the  president  and  fel 
lows  of  Harvard  University  have  been  pleased  to 
honour  me  on  my  present  visit.  Nothing  is  more 
interesting  to  my  own  mind,  and  nothing  can  he  more 
important  to  our  common  country,  than  the  cultiva 
tion  of  science  and  liberal  literature.  The  principal 
support  of  a  free  government  is  to  be  derived  from 
the  sound  morals  and  intelligence  of  the  people ;  and 
the  mor£  extensive  the  means  of  education,  the  more 
confidently  may  we  rely  upon  the  preservation  of 
our  public  liberties.  Whatever  doubts  may  once 
have  been  entertained  upon  the  subject  of  the  stabi 
lity  of  a  republican  government,  and  of  its  capacity 
to  promote  the  public  interests,  the  progress  of  our 
own  must  now  have  satisfied  the  most  sceptical  mind, 
and  awaken  the  strongest  conviction  of  its  energy 
and  excellence. 

"  The  venerable  university,  over  which  you  pre 
side,  has  long  been  a  great  ornament  of  our  country: 
it  seems  exceedingly  well  adapted  in  its  organiza 
tion,  to  give  the  best  instruction.  It  has  nurtured 
in  its  bosom  many  of  those  who,  by  their  patriotism, 
their  piety  and  their  learning,  have  conferred  lasting 
benefits  on  mankind.  Most  sincerely  do  I  wish  that 
it  may  continue  to  be  a  public  blessing,  and  under 
the  smiles  of  providence,  increase  in  usefulness.  An 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR*  127 

institution  which  endeavours  to  rear  American  youth 
in  the  pure  love  of  truth  and  duty,  and  while  it  en 
lightens  their  minds  by  ingenuous  and  liberal  stu 
dies,  endeavours  to  awaken  a  love  of  country,  to 
soften  local  prejudices,  and  to  inculcate  Christian 
faith  and  charity,  cannot  but  acquire,  as  it  Reserves, 
the  confidence  of  the  wise  and  good.  You  do  jus 
tice,  therefore,  to  my  feelings,  in  believing  that  such 
an  institution  must  possess  my  highest  regard,  and 
that  I  shall  always  take  a  lively  interest  in  its  pros 
perity. 

"  JAMES  MONROE. 
«  To  the  Rev.  President  Kirkland." 

Mr.  Caleb  Gushing,  a  member  of  the  senior  class, 
then  pronounced  a  Latin  oration,  and  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Laws,  the  highest  honour  of  the  university, 
was  conferred  upon  James  Monroe.  The  President, 
and  gentlemen  invited,  accompanied  by  the  govern 
ment  of  the  university,  then  proceeded  to  view  the 
library,  the  philosophical  chamber,  the  chemical  la 
boratory,  and  other  public  rooms;  after  which,  they 
returned  to  the  colonnade  of  University  Hall,  where 
they  witnessed  the  admirable  military  manoeuvres 
of  the  Harvard  Washington  corps.  From  this  place 
they  proceeded  to  the  house  of  the  president  of  the 
university,  and  partook  of  a  collation.  About  one 
o'clock,  the  President  returned  to  town,  and  alight 
ed  at  the  house  of  general  Welles,  in  Parke  street, 
whence  he  was  escorted  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry, 


128  A  NARRATIVE  OP 

under  major  Plielps,  to  the  common.  There  he  re 
viewed  general  Welles's  brigade,  of  the  militia  of 
Boston,  consisting  of  a  battalion  of  cavalry,  three 
companies  of  artillery,  six  companies  of  light  infan 
try,  six  battalions  of  infantry,  and  the  Independent 
Cadets,  who  did  guard  duty,  at  the  marque,  pitched 
for  the  head  quarters  of  the  commander  in  chief. 
After  receiving  the  marching  salutes  of  the  brigade, 
the  President,  the  commander  in  chief,  and  their 
suites,  with  the  brigadier-general,  and  his  officers, 
alighted  at  head  quarters,  and  at  three  o'clock,  with 
the  governor  and  his  aids,  took  carriages,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  Quincy,  to  dine  with  the  venerable  ex-pre 
sident  Adams,  in  company  with  the  honourable 
Messrs.  Quincy,  Dearborn,  Gray  and  others.  He 
returned  to  town  about  eight  o'clock,  and  attended 
a  ball  at  the  honourable  Mr,  George  Blakes. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  129 


CHAPTER  VII. 


Tht  President  departs  from  Boston — address  of  the 
Citizens  of  Lynn — proceeds  to  Marblehead9  thence 
to  Salem  and  Ipswich — resolutions  at  these  places — 
Newburyport — address  of  the  Citizens  there — in 
spection  of  the  Factories  at  Jlmsbury — the  President 
arrives  at  Portsmouth — address  of  the  Citizens — 
of  the  Associated  Mechanics  and  Manufacturers. 

HAVING  completed  the  examination  of  all  the  pub 
lic  works,  and  the  inspection  of  the  several  garri 
sons,  upon  this  station,  the  President  took  his  final 
leave  of  Boston,  and  proceeded  on  his  way  to  Salem, 
on  the  morning  of  Tuesday  the  8th  of  July.  Con 
gress  street  was  filled  with  a  multitude  of  people, 
who  assembled  on  that  occasion,  to  offer  a  last  tri 
bute  of  respect  to  the  chief  magistrate.  Captain 
Prentiss,  with  a  company  of  light  dragoons,  attend 
ed  him  to  the  boundary  line  of  the  county,  where  a 
body  of  military  from  Salem,  w  hich  had  been  station 
ed  there  to  receive  him,  assumed  the  duty  of  an  es 
cort  to  conduct  him  to  that  town.  Commodore 
Bainbridge,  and  some  citizens  of  distinction,  who 
had  also  rode  with  the  President  to  this  spot,  took 


130  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

their  leave,  and  returned  to  Boston  at  the  same  time. 
He  travelled  to  Lynn  with  his  usual  speed,  and  a 
committee  of  the  citizens,  which  had  been  in  readi 
ness,  met  and  conducted  him  to  the  hotel,  under  sa 
lutes  from  the  artillery  and  other  martial  honours. 

When  due  preparation  had  been  made,  and  the 
customary  preliminary  ceremonies  performed,  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  read  to  him  the  following 
address : 

«  May  it  please  your  Excellency — The  committee 
appointed  for  that  purpose,  respectfully  tender  you 
the  congratulations  of  the  citizens  of  Lynn,  upon 
your  arrival  in  this  ancient  town. 

"  It  is  with  sentiments  of  patriotic  pride  and  heart 
felt  pleasure,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Lynn  enjoy  this 
opportunity  of  beholding  among  them  the  chief  ma 
gistrate  of  the  union. 

"  Elevated  to  your  high  and  honourable  office  by 
the  suffrages  of  a  free  people,  in  conformity  with  the 
principles  of  our  excellent  constitution,  it  is  no  less 
the  duty,  than  it  is  the  happy  privilege  of  this  peo 
ple,  to  pay  their  voluntary  respects  to  the  man  of 
their  choice. 

"  Whilst  under  foreign  governments,  the  people 
are  oftentimes  obliged  by  royal  mandates,  to  pay 
reluctant  honours  to  their  rulers,  it  is  the  singular 
fortune  of  Americans,  that  they  are  free  to  act  for 
themselves,  and  that  in  paying  honours  to  the  men 
of  their  choice,  they  have  to  acknowledge  no  other 
mandate  than  that  of  freedom. 

"  Impressed  by  such  considerations,  the  inhabit- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  131 

ants  of  Lynn,  known  as  a  manufacturing  people, 
from  the  early  settlement  of  the  town,  heartily  con 
gratulate  you  on  the  present  peaceful  and  prosperous 
state  of  our  country,  and  fondly  indulge  the  hope, 
that  the  blessings  of  liberty  will  be  preserved,  and 
that  the  arts,  commerce,  and  manufactures  of  the 
nation,  will  be  fostered  and  protected  by  your  ad 
ministration,  recently  commenced  under  circum 
stances  so  auspicious. 

"  Wishing  your  excellency  a  long  continuance  of 
health  and  happiness,  we  have  the  honour  to  be, 
with  sentiments  of  the  highest  respect,  your  obedi 
ent  servants. 

«  R.  W.  TREVETT, 
"  Chairman  of  the  Committee." 

The  President  returned  a  verbal  answer,  and 
having  passed  on  foot,  in  company  with  governor 
Brooks,  and  preceded  by  the  committee,  through 
two  lines  formed  by  the  inhabitants,  and  extending 
to  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  he  resumed  his  journey. 

Some  distance  from  Marblehead,  captain  Story's 
company  of  light  infantry  met  the  President,  and 
attended  him  to  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  There  he 
was  received  by  a  committee,  and  by  many  of  the 
leading  citizens,  accompanied  by  whom  he  entered 
Marblehead,  amid  discharges  of  cannon,  and  many 
demonstrations  of  joy  and  satisfaction  from  the  peo 
ple.  The  President  remained  several  hours  in  this 
place,  during  which  he  viewred  the  town  and  harbour; 
inspected  Fort  Bewail  and  the  garrison;  reviewed  a 


132  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

battalion  of  artillery  under  major  Reed;  and  re 
ceived  congratulatory  visits  from  a  number  of  citi 
zens. 

Preparations  had  been  made  in  Salem  to  receive 
and  entertain  the  President  in  a  becoming  manner. 
A  town  meeting  was  held  on  the  10th  of  June* 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  what  measures  were 
necessary  to  be  adopted  by  the  citizens,  in  regard  to 
his  expected  visit,  and  in  what  manner  their  gra 
tification  might  be  demonstrated  at  so  pleasing 
an  event.  The  honourable  Benjamin  Pickman,  jun. 
after  some  appropriate  observations,  submitted  the 
following  resolution,  which  was  unanimously  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  a  visit  from  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  this  town,  during  his  present  tour, 
will  be  highly  acceptable  and  gratifying  to  its  inha 
bitants.  That  we  notice  with  much  satisfaction  the 
universal  disposition  which  prevails,  to  pay  him 
every  respectful  attention  which  is  due  to  the  chief 
magistrate  of  a  free  country.  That  the  selectmen, 
with  such  other  gentlemen  as  the  town  may  atld,  be 
a  committee  of  arrangements,  whose  duty  it  shall  be 
to  give,  in  our  behalf,  a  respectful  invitation  to  the 
President  to  visit  the  town,  to  prepare  and  deliver  to 
him  a  suitable  address  on  the  occasion,  and  also  that 
they  be  authorised  and  requested  to  make,  in  our  be 
half,  every  arrangement  which  they  may  judge  ne 
cessary  or  proper  to  carry  our  wishes  into  full  and 
complete  effect." 

The  following  gentlemen  were  then  selected  and 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  133 

approved  of  as  the  committee : — Honourable  Benja 
min  Pickman,  jun.  $  honourable  Joseph  Story ;  hon 
ourable  John  Pickering ;  honourable  Nathaniel  Sils- 
bee ;  honourable  Nathaniel  Bowditcli ;  Joseph  White, 
Joseph  Peabody,  David  Cummins,  William  Peel, 
and  Joseph  Winn,  esquires. 

About  three  o'clock  of  the  same  day,  (the  8th)  his 
approach  to  that  town  was  announced  by  a  salute 
from  colonel  Russell's  regiment  of  artillery,  and  on 
his  entrance  he  was  joined  by  the  selectmen,  a  com 
mittee  of  the  citizens,  and  the  marshals,  when  colo 
nel  Mansfield  gave  him  a  welcome  in  the  name  of 
the  inhabitants,  in  the  following  terms : 

"  We  are  highly  gratified,  sir,  that  we  have  once 
more  an  opportunity  to  present  our  respects  to  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  and  we,  the  select 
men,  sincerely  welcome  you  to  the  ancient  town  of 
Salem." 

The  President  made  acknowledgments  for  the  po 
liteness  evinced  in  the  conduct  of  the  citizens,  and 
immediately  quitted  his  carriage,  and  rode  into  the 
town  on  horseback.  A  short  distance  from  the  Essex 
Coffee  House,  in  Essex  street  (where  preparations  had 
been  made  for  his  reception),  he  dismounted,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  that  hotel  on  foot,  through  an  avenue  form 
ed  by  the  children  of  the  different  schools  in  the  town 
and  neighbourhood.  Among  many  eminent  persons 
who  were  in  waiting  at  the  hotel,  to  give  the  Presi 
dent  a  welcome,  were,  his  excellency  governor 
Brooks,  who  had  arrived  some  hours  before  him, 
dressed  in  full  uniform  and  attended  by  his  aids,  and 

M 


134  A  NARK  ATI  VE  OF 

the  honourable  Timothy  Pickering,  of  the  supreme 
executive  council.  In  conformity  with  the  resolu 
tions  previously  inserted,  the  honourable  Benjamin 
Pickimm  then  tendered  a  congratulatory  address  to 
the  President,  and  received  a  very  flattering  reply. 

The  President  shortly  afterwards  repaired  to  the 
Town  Hall,  where  he  gave  audience  to  the  chief  ci 
tizens,  and  the  naval  and  military  commanders  re 
siding  in  Salem.  He  then  proceeded  to  Washing 
ton  Square,  for  the  purpose  of  reviewing  the  troops, 
assembled  there,  consisting  of  a  battalion  of  cavalry, 
a  regiment  of  infantry,  a  regiment  of  artillery,  and 
the  corps  of  cadets ;  the  whole  detachment  under  the 
command  of  colonel  Russell  of  the  artillery.  The 
manoeuvres  during  this  parade  were  performed  with 
so  much  correctness,  and  the  appearance  of  the  mi 
litary  was  so  warlike,  that  the  President  expressed 
lumself  very  much  pleased  and  gratified.  A  marque 
had  been  provided  for  his  accommodation  on  the 
ground,  and  discharges  were  fired  by  the  artillery, 
at  his  arrival  and  departure. 

Returning  to  his  apartments,  he  was  joined  at  the 
dinner  table  by  a  number  of  guests,  among  whom 
were  his  excellency  governor  Brooks,  the  honour 
able  Mr.  Crowninshield,  secretary  of  the  navy,  the 
honourable  Mr.  Pickering,  judge  Story,  several 
United  States  naval  and  military  officers,  general 
Hovey  and  other  militia  officers,  the  venerable  Dr. 
Holyoke  and  the  reverend  clergy,  the  committee  of. 
arrangement,  marshals  of  the  day,  &c.  In  the  even 
ing,  the  President  and  the  governor,  with  their 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  135 

suites,  attended  a  concert  at  the  New  Town  Hall, 
the  public  opening  of  which  had  been  delayed  for 
this  occasion.  The  interior  decorations  of  the  build 
ing  were  rich  and  tasteful,  and  the  audience  assem 
bled  was  estimated  at  one  thousand  persons. 

The  early  part  of  Wednesday,  the  9th,  was  de 
voted  by  the  President  to  an  examination  of  such 
objects,  as  were  more  intimately  connected  with  his 
visit  to  this  place.  He  viewed  Fort  Pickering  on 
Winter  Island,  the  East  India  Museum,  the  Salem 
Athenseum,  the  New  Workhouse,  and  some  other 
public  establishments.  The  secretary  of  the  navy 
was  honoured  with  his  presence  at  dinner,  and  in 
the  evening  he  attended  a  party  at  judge  Story's. 

Having  partaken  of  an  early  breakfast,  with  the 
honourable  Mr.  Thorndyke,  on  the  morning  of 
Thursday,  he  passed  the  remainder  of  that  day,  and 
the  principal  part  of  the  following,  in  privacy  and 
retirement,  and  on  Saturday,  12th,  he  continued  his 
journey  toward  New  Hampshire. 

The  measures  pursued  in  other  towns,  relating  to 
a  proper  and  respectful  reception  of  the  President, 
had  been  adopted  by  the  inhabitants  of  Ipswich  at  an 
early  day.  On  the  12th  of  June  a  town-meeting 
was  convened  at  that  place,  when 

"  Nathaniel  Wade,  esq.  was  placed  in  the  chair, 
and  Josiah  C  aid  well  chosen  secretary.  The  ho 
nourable  John  Heard  called  the  attention  of  the 
meeting  to  the  object  for  which  it  was  convened,  and 
ardently  hoped,  that  the  citizens  would  cordially 
unite  in  offering  their  respects  to  the  chief  magis- 


136  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

trate  of  the  union,  when  his  arrival  should  be  an 
nounced. 

"  On  motion  of  Asa  Andrews,  esq.  seconded  by 
major  Robert  Farley,  it  was  unanimously  resolved, 
that  ten  gentlemen  be  appointed,  who,  with  the  se 
lectmen,  shall  constitute  a  committee  of  arrange 
ments,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  attend  to  the 
objects  of  their  appointment,  and  make  report  of 
their  proceedings,  at  the  adjournment  of  their  meet 
ing,  on  Monday  evening,  the  16th  instant. 

"  The  following  gentlemen  were  then  selected  and 
appointed:  Honourable  John  Heard — John  Man 
ning,  esq. — Nathaniel  Wade,  esq. — major  Robert 
Farley — captain  Moses  Treadwell — colonel  Joseph 
Hodgkins — Asa  Andrews — Jona  Cogswell — George 
Choate,  and  Joseph  Farley,  esquires. 

(Attest)  "  JOSIAH  CALDWELL,  Sec'ry." 

The  previous  delay  of  the  President  at  Salem, 
however,  prevented  him  from  receiving  all  those  at 
tentions  which  were  contemplated  by  the  people  of 
Ipswich,  and  after  merely  halting  to  receive  the 
visits  of  the  committee,  and  some  of  the  principal 
inhabitants,  he  passed  on  towards  Newburyport, 
under  an  escort  which  had  been  despatched  from  that 
place  to  attend  him.  This  escort  consisted  of  a  re 
giment  of  cavalry,  commanded  by  colonel  J.  Colman, 
and  the  field  officers  of  the  brigade,  under  the  direc 
tion  of  majors  John  Scott,  and  David  Wood,  jun. 
At  Parker's  river  he  was  met  by  the  honourable  Bai 
ley  Bartlet,  sheriff  of  Essex,  and  the  committee  of 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  137 

arrangement,  when  colonel  Mosely,  their  chairman, 
addressed  him. 

a  Sir — A  number  of  the  citizens  of  Newburyport 
and  vicinity,  desirous  of  paying  you  their  respects, 
have  taken  the  liberty  to  meet  you  on  your  journey, 
and  with  your  permission,  will  accompany  you  to 
Newburyport,  where  the  citizens  of  that  town  will 
be  happy,  in  a  more  formal  manner,  to  pay  you  their 
salutations." 

A  large  party  of  citizens  then  joined  the  caval 
cade,  and  accompanied  the  President  into  town. 
Captain  Coffin's  company  of  artillery  announced  his 
entrance  with  discharges  of  ordnance,  and  the  cheers 
of  the  people  followed  him  to  the  hotel. 

An  address,  which  had  been  prepared  by  a  com 
mittee  representing  the  inhabitants,  was  immediate 
ly  presented  by  their  chairman. 

"  Sir — The  citizens  of  Newburyport,  by  their 
committee,  beg  leave  to  present  their  sincere  re 
spects  to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States. 
Having  been  called  by  a  free  and  intelligent  people, 
to  preside  over  their  most  important  concerns,  it 
must  be  peculiarly  grateful  to  your  feelings,  at  the 
commencement  of  your  arduous  duties,  to  be  made 
more  particularly  acquainted  with  their  local  inte 
rests,  and  to  receive  their  respectful  and  affection 
ate  salutations.  It  is  no  less  pleasing  to  us,  than 
happy  for  the  nation,  that  we  derive  the  honour  of 
this  interview,  from  the  practical  operation  of  that 
maxim  of  your  illustrious  predecessor,  the  father  of 
his  country,  in  his  last  affectionate  address  to  his 
M  2 


1SB  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

fellow  citizens,  that  "  timely  disbursements  to  pre 
pare  for  danger,  frequently  prevent  much  greater 
disbursements  to  repel  it."  A  numerous  and  weal 
thy  population,  stretching  along  an  extensive  sea- 
coast,  presents  to  a  foreign  enemy,  many  alluring 
objects  of  attack,  and  the  present  period  of  peace 
and  public  tranquillity,  appears  peculiarly  favoura 
ble  for  our  defence  and  security. 

"  Enjoying,  as  we  do,  the  blessings  of  a  free  go 
vernment,  our  attachment  to  it  cannot  be  the  less  ar 
dent,  when  administered  by  one,  who  took  so  honour 
able  and  active  a  part  in  those  measures  by  which  it 
was  obtained.  We  trust  that  under  your  adminis 
tration,  by  the  smiles  of  a  kind  providence,  a  spirit 
of  peace  will  be  generally  diffused ;  the  venerable 
and  pious  institutions  of  our  fathers  preserved ;  and 
the  citizens  meet  their  appropriate  rewards,  in  the 
labours  of  agriculture,  manufactures  and  commerce, 
and  in  extending  the  sciences  and  arts. 

"  Accept,  sir,  our  best  wishes,  that  you  may  be 
prospered  in  the  important  object  of  your  journey, 
and  at  the  close  of  your  labours  receive  a  consola 
tion,  the  most  clear  to  a  patriot,  in  the  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  the  country." 

The  President  was  pleased  to  reply  in  substance, 
as  follows  : 

That  he  received,  with  great  sensibility,  the  at 
tentions  of  the  citizens  of  Newburyport ;  that  his 
principal  object  in  making  this  tour  was,  to  see  the 
situation  of  the  people  in  different  parts  of  the  coun 
try,  and  to  acquire  such  information  as  would  better 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUtt. 

enable  him  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office ;  thai 
in  his  journey  he  had  been  highly  gratified  witli  the 
prosperous  condition  of  the  people,  and  that  we  could 
not  be  sufficiently  thankful  to  that  bountiful  provi 
dence,  which  had  conferred  upon  us  such  great 
blessings. 

The  President  concluded  with  desiring,  that  his 
grateful  sentiments  for  the  kind  and  respectful  man 
ner  in  which  he  had  been  received  by  the  citizens, 
might  be  communicated  to  them. 

His  excellency  then  retired  to  an  adjoining  apart 
ment,  where,  in  company  with  maj.  gen.  Dearborn, 
commodore  Bainbridge,  brigadier-general  Miller, 
general  Bricket,  Dr.  Waterhouse,  and  the  reverend 
clergy  of  that  and  some  neighbouring  towns,  he  sat 
down  to  a  sumptuous  dinner.  Having  signified  his 
desire  to  dispense  with  any  farther  escort,  he  took 
leave  of  the  company,  and  travelled  that  evening  to 
Portsmouth. 

During  this  portion  of  his  journey,  he  delayed 
a  while  at  Amsbury,  to  examine  the  factories  in  that 
town  and  its  vicinity. 

A  committee  from  Portsmouth,  a  company  of  the 
35th  cavalry,  and  a  collection  of  citizens  on  horse 
back  and  in  carriages,  joined  the  President  at  Green 
land,  and  formed  a  line  of  march  to  enter  the  city. 
The  procession  then  moved  in  that  direction,  and 
having  passed  the  lines,  a  national  salute  from  the 
artillery  under  captain  Currier,  announced  that  event 
to  the  inhabitants,  and  a  repetition  of  this  salute  from 


140  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

the  company  of  Sea  Fencibles,  under  captain  Brown, 
communicated  the  intelligence  of  the  President's  ar 
rival. 

When  he  had  ascended  the  balcony  of  Frost's 
Hotel,  the  honourable  Mr.  Mason,  in  presence  of 
the  assembled  citizens,  delivered  an  address. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sir — The  presence  of  the  chief  magistrate,  se 
lected  for  his  eminent  virtues  and  public  services,  to 
preside  over  and  direct  the  councils  of  a  great  nation, 
must  always  excite  feelings  of  the  highest  interest. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth,  remote 
from  the  seat  of  the  general  government,  can  expect 
few  opportunities  of  witnessing  such  a  gratifying 
scene.  We  therefore  eagerly  embrace  this  fortunate 
occasion  to  present  our  ardent  and  sincere  congratu 
lations. 

"  Engaged  chiefly  in  the  business  of  commerce 
and  navigation,  we  know  our  destinies  are,  in  a  pe 
culiar  manner,  dependent  on  the  measures  of  that 
government,  to  which  the  protection  of  those  im 
portant  objects,  is  exclusively  confided.  These  en 
terprising  pursuits,  which  have  always  been  greatly 
contributory  to  the  general  welfare,  are  now  suffer 
ing  under  a  temporary  depression.  But  we  have 
entire  confidence  that  the  wisdom  and  justice  of  gov 
ernment,  will  extend  to  them  all  the  protection  and 
support  that  shall  be  in  its  power. 

"  To  superintend  and  conduct  the  national  con- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  141 

cerns  has  always,  in  free  governments,  been  the 
favourite  employment  of  the  best  and  greatest  men. 
By  no  other  means,  can  an  individual  of  distinguish 
ed  talents  so  eminently  promote  the  public  good. 
The  successful  performance  of  such  duties  must,  at 
all  times,  constitute  a  sure  claim  to  the  gratitude  of 
a  generous  people.  This,  sir,  is  the  arduous  and 
honourable  service,  which  is  entrusted  to  you  by  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States. 

«  Sensible  how  greatly  the  national  prosperity 
depends  on  the  due  administration  of  the  govern 
ment,  we  recal  to  our  recollection,  with  much  satis 
faction,  the  numerous  pledges  of  attachment  to  the 
public  interest,  furnished  by  the  history  of  your  past 
life.  It  is  our  earnest  and  confident  hope,  that  your 
administration,  by  perfecting  our  valuable  institu 
tions,  and  by  uniting  public  sentiment,  and  wisely 
directing  it  to  proper  national  objects,  may  fulfil  the 
present  happy  anticipations,  and  thus  establish  on  a 
firm  basis,  your  own  and  your  country's  happiness, 
honour  and  glory. 

"  J.  MASON, 

"  In  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Ports 
mouth." 

In  his  answer,  the  President  adverted  to  the  flou 
rishing  condition  of  the  town  of  Portsmouth ;  made 
some  suitable  remarks  on  the  principal  points  con 
tained  in  the  address;  and  tendered  his  acknow 
ledgments  for  the  civilities  which  had  been  shown 
him. 


142  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

An  audience  was  then  given  to  the  principal  inha 
bitants,  and  he  shortly  after  adjourned  to  his  quar 
ters,  at  Mr.  Wentworth's,  in  Jeffrey  street,  accom 
panied  by  the  committee,  the  marshals,  and  a  detach 
ment  of  the  military. 

In  addition  to  the  religious  duties  of  the  day,  the 
President,  on  Sunday  the  13th,  paid  a  visit  to  gov 
ernor  Langdon,  well  known  for  his  revolutionary 
services ;  and  on  Monday,  he  made  his  usual  circuit 
of  observation  through  the  forts,  the  harbour,  the 
navy  yard,  and  the  public  institutions.  A  committee 
from  the  Society  of  Associated  Mechanics  of  the 
state,  and  the  president  and  vice-president  of  that 
society,  waited  upon  his  excellency  in  the  course  of 
this  day,  and  met  a  cordial  and  friendly  reception. 
On  this  occasion  the  chairman  delivered  an  address, 
which  is  here  introduced  : 

"  To  James  Monroe  9  President  of  the  United  States. 

«  Sir — In  behalf  of  the  Associated  Mechanics  and 
Manufacturers  of  the  state  of  New  Hampshire,  we 
ask  leave  to  present  you  their  respectful  salutations, 
and  to  express  with  unfeigned  cordiality,  the  satis 
faction  they  derive  from  the  visit  with  which  you  are 
pleased  to  honour  this  metropolis. 

•<  They  are  not  unmindful  that  your  numerous 
official  avocations  require  your  first  attention,  and 
must  necessarily  render  your  present  tour  through 
the  country  extremely  arduous ;  consequently  the  too 
frequent  recurrence  of  formal  addresses  may  be 
come  irksome,  and  even  painful :  yet  they  have  pre- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  145 

sumed  it  not  incompatible  with  their  duty,  or  with  the 
rules  of  propriety,  to  avail  themselves  of  the  present 
opportunity  of  expressing  their  public  regard,  for 
the  man  in  whom  seven  millions  of  free  people  have 
reposed  the  highest  degree  of  public  confidence,  and 
to  whom  they  are  indebted  for  the  most  important 
services. 

"  We  notice  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  the  atten 
tion  which  the  arts  and  manufactures  of  our  country 
have  received  from  you,  and  view  it  as  the  harbinger 
of  increasing  prosperity,  and  as  a  mean  of  perpetu 
ating  our  independence.  Accept,  sir,  our  sincere 
wishes  for  your  future  health  and  happiness,  and  our 
assurances,  that  no  portion  of  the  community  can 
feel  a  more  lively  interest  in  your  personal  welfare, 
than  do  the  Associated  Mechanics  of  New  Hamp 
shire. 

«  ABNER  GREENLEAF, 
"  WILLIAM  SIMES, 
"  NATHANIEL  B.  MARCH, 
"  JOHN  BURLFY  HILL, 
"  DAVID  C.  FOSTER, 

«  Committee:9 

An  extemporaneous  answer  was  returned  by  the 
President  \  in  which  he  made  some  appropriate  re 
flections  on  the  utility  of  encouraging  our  native 
manufactures. 


144  A  NARRATIVE  OF 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


Province  of  Maim — the  President  lands  at  Kittery — 
address — proceeds  to  Kennebunk,  and  is  addressed 
there — Wells — Arundel — Biddeford — address  of  a 
Committee — the  President  repairs  through  Saco  and 
Scarborough  to  Portland — reply  to  the  invitation 
from  the  Citizens  of  Bath  and  other  towns — -visit 
to  forts  PreUe  and  Scammel — address  of  the  Cler 
gy — the  President  re-enters  JVew  Hampshire. 

THE  town  of  Portsmouth,  was  the  most  distant, 
to  the  eastward,  from  the  seat  of  government,  which 
had  ever  been  visited  by  the  executive  before,  Presi 
dent  Washington's  tour  not  extending  beyond  that 
place.  The  increase  of  population  in  the  province 
of  Maine,  however,  and  the  consequent  augmenta 
tion  of  its  importance  in  the  union,  had  occasioned, 
since  that  period,  the  construction  of  many  objects, 
which  Mr.  Monroe  deemed  worthy  of  his  inspection. 
Accordingly,  on  Tuesday,  the  1 5th  of  July,  he  cross 
ed  the  Piscataqua,  from  Portsmouth,  and  entered 
Maine,  at  the  town  of  Kittery.  The  citizens  were 
already  paraded  on  the  shore,  and  the  honourable 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  14^ 

Mr.  ifolmes,  of  Alfred,  in  their  behalf,  thus  address 
ed  him: 

**  Sir — As  citizens  of  Maine,  we  take  the  Hherty 
to  meet  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  on  his  en 
tering  our  district,  and  to  pay  him  our  respects.  It 
being  the  first  time  a  President  of  the  United  States 
has  visited  this  section  of  the  country,  it  is  a  source 
of  peculiar  satisfaction  to  meet  and  greet  one  whose 
private  virtues  and  public  administration  have  been 
so  much,  and  so  justly  admired  by  the  people  of 
Maine. 

"  Permit  us,  sir,  for  ourselves,  and  our  friends, 
to  congratulate  you  on  your  election  as  President, 
and  bid  you  a  cordial  welcome  to  this  part  of  the 
union ;  to  tender  you  our  services,  to  alleviate  the 
fatigues  of  your  journey  ;  and  our  wishes  and  exer 
tions  that  all  your  labours  for  the  people  may  be  re 
ceived  with  gratitude,  and  crowned  with  success. 
Through  the  wisdom  of  yourself,  and  your  compa 
triots,  the  patriotism  of  the  people,  and  the  favour  of 
heaven,  you  have  the  singular  felicity  to  receive  the 
voluntary  homage  of  the  nation,  and  to  witness  its 
peace,  prosperity,  freedom,  and  happiness. 

"  This  journey,  like  the  journey  of  your  life,  is 
commenced  and  pursued  for  the  public  good.  Like 
that,  its  fatigues  have  been  endured  with  patience, 
its  obstacles  overcome  with  perseverance,  its  storms 
encountered  with  firmness,  and  its  refreshing  sun 
shines  relished  with  equanimity  and  gratitude.  In 
each,  as  you  have  advanced,  you  have  acquired  addi 
tional  honour,  reverence  and  love.  In  your  future 
9 


146  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

progress,  in  both,  may  your  health  be  preserved, 
your  country's  prosperity  and  glory  secured,  and 
the  affections,  confidence,  and  union  of  the  people 
increased  and  confirmed.  And  when  these  respec 
tive  journies  shall  be  ended,  and  you  shall  return 
home,  may  you  at  the  close  of  the  one  be  received 
in  health  and  happiness  to  the  embraces  of  an  affec 
tionate  family ;  and,  of  the  other,  to  the  favour  and 
fruition  of  HIM  who  will  never  fail  to  reward  the 
great  and  good." 

To  this  address  the  President  made  a  suitable  ex 
temporaneous  reply. 

Escorted  by  a  large  detachment  of  cavalry,  from 
general  Leighton's  brigade,  he  proceeded  onward  to 
the  ancient  town  of  York,  situated  on  a  river  of  that 
name,  ten  miles  from  the  ocean.  Here  he  was  greet 
ed  with  the  customary  salutes,  and  the  venerable 
judge  Scwall,  of  the  United  States  district  court,  at 
the  head  of  a  committee,  made  him  a  congratulatory 
address.  The  President  having  replied  to  the  judge, 
continued  his  route  to  the  town  of  Kennebunk.  Five 
miles  in  advance  of  this  place,  he  was  intercepted  by 
another  cavalry  escort,  and  the  militia  officers  of 
Maine,  by  whom  he  was  conducted  to  apartments 
in  the  town,  at  which,  after  partaking  of  a  refresh 
ment,  he  was  addressed  by  the  chairman  of  the  com 
mittee,  as  follows: 

«  Sir — The  committee,  designated  by  the  inhabi 
tants  of  Kennebunk  and  its  vicinity,  bid  you  wel 
come  to  Maine,  and  particularly  that  part  of  it  in 
which  they  reside.  The  novel  spectacle  of  seeing 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  147 

among  them  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United 
States,  excites  sensations  of  no  ordinary  class  ;  and 
equally  evincive  of  their  strong  attachment  to  the 
government  of  their  choice,  and  of  their  high  re 
spect  for  the  man  who  has  been  called  by  the  volun 
tary  suffrages  of  the  people,  to  preside  over  its  des 
tinies. 

"  In  this  visit,  sir,  our  citizens  discern  your  pa 
ternal  solicitude  to  make  yourself  acquainted  with 
the  various  sections  of  the  country,  and  the  people 
who  inhabit  them ;  and  we  are  charged  to  assure 
you,  that  they  have  a  deep  interest  in  the  progress 
and  happy  termination  of  your  journey. 

"  We  congratulate  you,  sir,  upon  the  present 
peaceful  state  of  our  country,  and  that  your  admi 
nistration  of  the  government  commences  under  cir 
cumstances,  so  pleasant  to  yourself,  and  auspicious 
to  them  :  and  we  assure  you  that  our  citizens  have 
the  fullest  confidence,  that  the  best  interests  of  the 
people  will  be  promoted ;  and  their  prayers  to  hea 
ven  are,  that  at  some  future  period,  when  you  shall 
retire  from  your  present  elevated  situation,  you  may 
receive  the  acclamations  of  the  whole  people,  made 
happy,  under  an  administration  marked  for  its  wis 
dom,  its  mildness,  and  spirit  of  conciliation. 

"  G.  G.  WALLING SFORD, 
*<  In  behalf  of  the  committee." 


148  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

The  President's  Rephj   to  the  Address  of  the  Citi 
zens  of  Kenncbunk. 

"  Sir — I  ask  you,  and  the  gentlemen  associated 
with  you,  to  communicate  to  the  citizens  of  Kennc- 
bunk  and  its  vicinity,  my  thanks  for  the  friendly  re 
ception  they  give  me ;  and  for  those  testimonies  of 
respect  which  they  are  pleased  to  manifest  for  the 
chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States.  Be  pleased 
to  assure  them,  that  on  this,  as  well  as  on  other  si 
milar  occasions,  I  c\m  unable  to  express  my  emo 
tions.  To  behold  a  free,  an  enlightened,  and  a  high 
minded  people,  paying  a  spontaneous  tribute  of  re 
spect  and  affection  to  a  man  who  is  elevated  to  the 
chief  magistracy  of  a  nation,  is  in  itself  an  imposing 
spectacle.  To  that  individual,  such  a  scene,  you 
may  well  believe,  must  possess  a  character  of  pecu 
liar  and  appropriate  interest.  I  have  never  before 
been  so  much  affected.  Such  distinguished  atten 
tions,  such  unexpected  effusions  of  regard,  as  I  ex 
perience  from  my  fellow  citizens,  do  indeed  sink  deep 
into  my  heart.  They  have  made  me  feel,  if  possi 
ble,  a  deeper  sense  of  my  obligations  to  devote  all 
my  faculties  to  their  service. 

"  It  was  my  wish,  in  the  first  instance,  while  on 
this  tour,  to  have  devoted  my  attention  exclusively, 
to  those  public  and  national  objects  which  I  had  in 
view.  But  finding  that  this  arrangement  did  not 
comport  with  the  feelings  of  my  fellow  citizens,  I 
relinquished  it.  Indeed,  when  I  found  a  disposition, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  149 

so  generally  manifesting  itself,  to  improve  the  occa 
sion  for  a  personal  interview  of  the  people  with  the 
citizen  whom  their  voluntary  suffrages  had  elevated 
to  the  highest  office  in  their  gift,  and,  through  him, 
to  exhibit  the  homage  which  they  feel  for  the  go 
vernment  itself,  and  the  high  value  which  they  en 
tertain  for  its  republican  form,  I  cheerfully  yielded 
to  their  wishes.  Nor  can  I  ever  regret  that  I  have 
thus  afforded  myself  so  many  opportunities  of  see 
ing  and  feeling  how  much  we  are  one  people ;  how 
strongly  the  ties  by  which  we  are  united,  do  in  fact 
bind  us  together;  how  much  we  possess  in  reality, 
a  community  not  only  of  interest,  but  of  sympathy 
and  affection.  I  am  the  more  led  to  make  this  re 
mark,  because  you  are  pleased  to  express  a  confident 
hope,  that  a  spirit  of  mutual  conciliation  may  be  one 
of  the  blessings,  which  may  result  from  my  adminis 
tration.  This  indeed  would  be  an  eminent  blessing, 
and  I  pray  it  may  be  realised.  The  United  States 
are  certainly  the  most  enlightened  people  on  earth. 
We  are  certainly  rapidly  advancing  in  the  road  of 
national  pre-eminence.  Nothing  but  union  is  want 
ing  to  make  us  a  great  people.  The  present  time 
affords  the  happiest  presages  that  this  union  is  fast 
consummating.  It  cannot  be  otherwise.  I  daily 
see  greater  proofs  of  it :  the  further  I  advance  in  my 
progress,  in  the  country,  the  more  I  perceive  that 
we  are  all  Americans — that  we  compose  but  one  fa 
mily — that  our  republican  institutions  will  be  sup 
ported  and  perpetuated  by  the  united  zeal  and  patri 
otism  of  all.  Nothing  could  give  me  greater  satis- 


150  A  NARRATIVE  OP 

faction  than  to  behold  a  perfect  union  among  our 
selves — an  union,  which  I  before  observed,  is  all  we 
can  ever  want  to  make  us  powerful  and  respected — 
an  union  too,  which  is  necessary  to  restore  to  social 
intercourse  its  former  charms,  and  to  render  our 
happiness,  as  a  nation,  unmixed  and  complete.  To 
promote  this  desirable  result  requires  no  compro 
mise  of  principle,  and  I  promise  to  give  it  my  conti 
nued  attention,  and  my  best  endeavours.  For  the 
good  of  our  common  country,  I  feel  that  I  am  bound 
constantly  to  act.  So  far  as  integrity  and  zeal  are 
concerned,  I  can  confidently  say  I  shall  not  be  found 
wanting;  and  if  I  shall  fail  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duty,  it  shall  be  from  wrant  of  judgment.  I  also  hope 
that  I  shall  be  enabled  actually  to  improve  all  the  op 
portunities,  which  the  station  to  which  I  have  been 
called,  shall  afford  me,  to  advance  the  interest,  the 
honour,  and  the  felicity  of  our  beloved  country.  Be 
pleased,  sir,  to  communicate  to  the  citizens,  whom 
you  and  your  associates  represent,  my  best  wishes 
for  their  individual  prosperity  and  happiness." 

The  President  then  resumed  his  journey,  passing, 
on  foot,  through  an  avenue  of  citizens,  over  the 
bridge,  which  was  handsomely  ornamented,  where 
he  ascended  his  carriage,  and  thence  proceeded,  by 
way  of  Wells,  and  Arundell,  to  Biddeford.  A 
committee  of  the  citizens  of  that  place,  by  their 
chairman,  Mr.  Thatcher,  being  first  introduced, 
addressed  the  President  in  these  words : 

a  Sir — The  inhabitants  of  Biddeford,  by  their 
committee,  beg  leave  to  present  their  tribute  of  re- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  151 

spect  to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  to  express  to  him  their  pleasure  at  his 
visit — a  pleasure  that  their  local  situation  has  hither 
to  prevented  their  enjoying. 

"  Attached  to  their  republican  form  of  govern 
ment,  they  are  anxious  to  retain  it  in  its  original 
simplicity ;  the  frequency  of  their  elections  renders 
it  important  to  the  electors  to  be  acquainted  with 
their  rulers,  and  they  are  pleased  to  observe  your 
desire  to  gratify  their  wishes. 

"  They  cordially  receive  you  within  the  limits  of 
their  town,  and  tender  their  sendees  to  render  your 
journey  as  pleasant  and  useful  as  in  their  power. 
Having  neither  natural  or  artificial  objects  worthy 
your  particular  observation,  and  your  official  duties 
being  so  numerous,  they  cannot  expect  to  be  gratifi 
ed  by  your  delay  to  see  all  they  have  to  show — love 
of  country,  and  honour  to  their  rulers.  They  have 
only  to  regret,  that  the  moment  of  their  salutation 
is  also  the  moment  of  their  farewel.  They  tender 
most  ardent  wishes  for  your  happiness  in  public  and 
domestic  life ;  assuring  you  of  their  approbation  and 
support  in  all  public  measures,  that  may  tend  to  na 
tional  honour  and  prosperity. 

"  GEORGE  THATCHER, 
"  SETH  STORER,  jun. 
"  SAMUEL  MERRILL, 

"  (Selectmen  of  Biddeford,)  Committee  of  Ar 
rangement." 

The  President  made  a  verbal  reply  to  the  commit 
tee,  and  immediately  set  forward  to  Saco,  and  thence 


152  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

through  Scarborough  to  Portland,  the  extremity  of 
his  eastern  tour.  Numerous  arches  were  erected, 
and  national  flags  displayed,  at  the  different  inter 
sections  of  the  road,  between  these  places.  The 
most  beautiful  and  tasteful  of  these  exhibitions,  was 
made  upon  the  bridge  at  Westbrook,  leading  directly 
into  Portland ;  the  decorations  of  which,  were  sur 
mounted  with  banners  and  national  emblems,  and 
an  arch  for  each  state.  An  escort,  under  the  or 
ders  of  major-general  Richardson,  had  been  provi 
ded  at  the  Cumberland  line,  by  which  he  was  con 
ducted  to  his  quarters  in  Portland,  after  having  re 
viewed  the  Portland  regiment  of  militia.  In  the 
evening,  the  observatory,  and  other  buildings  on 
Mountjoy  Hill,  were  handsomely  illuminated,  and  a 
brilliant  display  of  fire-works,  closed  the  entertain 
ments,  which  had  been  provided  by  the  citizens,  to 
do  honour  to  their  visit er.  Deputations  from  the 
towns  of  Bath,  Wiscassett,  Brunswick  and  Topham, 
were  introduced  to  the  President,  and  in  behalf  of 
the  towns  from  which  they  came,  invited  him  to  con 
tinue  his  route  to  each  of  those  places.  To  these 
several  invitations,  the  President  replied  in  the  fol 
lowing  note. 

"  Fellow  Citizens — I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that  it 
would  afford  me  great  and  sincere  pleasure,  to  pro 
ceed  to  the  towns  which  you  represent,  and  even  to 
Castine,  if  imperious  circumstances  did  not  prevent 
it.  I  undertook  this  tour  to  acquire  information,  by 
personal  inspection  of  our  principal  harbours,  of  the 
entrances  into  them,  of  the  state  of  the  public  works, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  153 

and  of  the  points  at  which  it  might  be  proper  to  erect 
others ;  and  it  was  my  ohject  to  embrace  in  it  the 
Atlantic  coast,  to  the  extent  mentioned,  and  the  in 
land  frontier  as  far  as  Detriot.  I  now  find,  not 
withstanding  the  exertions  which  I  have  made,  that 
if  I  proceed  further  to  the  eastward,  I  shall  be  com 
pelled  to  abandon  all  the  western  part  of  my  con 
templated  tour,  or  be  thrown  on  the  lakes  at  an  un 
favourable  season,  and  shall  likewise  be  detained 
from  the  seat  of  government,  longer  than  a  due  re 
gard  for  other  important  national  interests  will  per 
mit.  I  regret,  therefore,  to  be  compelled  by  these 
considerations,  to  terminate  my  tour  eastward  here ; 
considerations  which  will,  I  doubt  not,  have  their 
due  weight  with  you,  and  my  other  fellow  citizens  of 
the  district  of  Maine. 

"  I  am  happy  to  meet  here  deputies  from  so  many 
of  the  towns  to  the  eastward,  because  from  you  I 
shall  receive  such  information  touching  your  local 
interests,  as  will  be  useful.  I  shall  pay  to  it  the  ut 
most  attention  in  my  power. 

"  I  am  aware,  that  the  prosperity  of  towns  in  this 
district,  (and  I  may  extend  the  remark  to  the  Uni 
ted  States.)  depends  on  the  prosperous  state  of  their 
commerce.  Nothing  is  more  just  then,  that  our 
trade  with  foreign  powers  should  be  placed  in  every 
branch,  on  a  footing  of  reciprocal  and  equal  advan 
tage.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  state,  that  this  impor 
tant  interest  has  already  received  the  consideration 
of  the  national  councils,  and  that  I  have  no  doubt  it 


154  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

will  continue  to  be  duly  attended  to,  until  it  is  placed 
on  a  just  and  satisfactory  footing. 

"On  all  the  great  concerns  of  this  highly  favour 
ed  and  happy  nation,  there  is  hut  one  common  inte 
rest.  We  are  all  equally  interested  in  preserving 
our  present  republican  government  and  institutions, 
in  their  utmost  purity.  We  are  all  equally  interest 
ed  in  adopting  suitable  measures  of  defence,  land  and 
naval,  and  in  the  proper  protection  and  encourage 
ment  of  our  commerce ;  and  it  is  highly  gratifying 
to  me,  to  witness  in  the  whole  extent  of  my  tour, 
that  great  harmony  of  opinion  prevails  on  all  these 
important  points. 

"JAMES  MONROE." 

On  Wednesday  morning  the  President  inspected 
the  forts  Preble  and  Scammel,  at  the  mouth  of  the 
harbour,  and  reviewed  the  troops  under  major 
Crane;  after  which  he  examined  the  observatory, 
and  visited  the  widow  of  the  late  gallant  commodore 
Preble.  Upon  returning  to  his  quarters,  he  received 
the  reverend  clergy  of  Portland,  who  waited  on  him 
with  this  address. 

«  Sir — The  ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
of  different  denominations,  in  Portland  and  vicinity, 
amid  the  congratulations  of  their  fellow  citizens, 
would  now  in  a  body  tender  their  respectful  and 
Christian  salutations,  opening  to  you  their  bosoms, 
revered  sir,  and  imploring  on  you  the  divine  pre 
sence,  guidance  and  support,  as  the  father  of  a  great 
and  happy  people. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  155 

"  That  you  may  have  in  continuance  a  prosperous 
journey,  by  the  will  of  God,  through  the  northern 
and  western  parts  of  these  United  States,  a  safe  re 
turn  to  the  capital,  and  to  the  bosom  of  your  family; 
that  the  morning  of  your  presidency,  being  a  morn 
ing  without  clouds,  which  has  thrown  such  a  lustre 
upon  our  public  affairs,  and  occasioned  such  surprising 
harmony  in  the  public  feelings,  may  indeed  be  as  the 
shining  light,  which  shineth  more  and  more  unto  the 
perfect  day. 

"  And  when,  sir,  your  hands  are  heavy  under  the 
weight  of  the  nation's  cares,  be  assured,  the  inter 
cessions  of  our  closets  and  of  our  altars,  (animated 
by  the  grateful  remembrance  of  your  presence 
amongst  us)  shall  be  always  going  up  to  the  Mercy- 
seat  in  your  behalf,  that  through  your  instrumenta 
lity,  the  beauty  of  the  Lord  our  God  may  be  upon 
us,  his  glory  appear  to  our  children.  And  having 
served  your  generation  according  to  the  will  of  God, 
in  a  good  old  age,  and  full  of  days  and  honours,  may 
you  be  gathered  unto  the  illustrious  fathers  who  rest 
from  their  public  labours,  and  enter  with  them  into 
heavenly  glory." 

The  Answer  from  the  President. 

"  Gentlemen — Among  the  numerous  tokens  of  re 
spect,  which  have  been  shown  me  by  my  fellow  citi 
zens,  during  my  present  tour,  undertaken  to  ad 
vance  the  public  interest,  I  have  received  none  more 
grateful  than  the  one  I  now  receive  from  you,  the 


156  A  NARRATIVE  9F 

ministers  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour.  Be  assured, 
that  the  kind  sentiments  of  your  affectionate  ad 
dress,  especially  those  which  regard  my  person,  are 
warmly  reciprocated.  A  proper  reverence  for  our 
Maker,  and  indeed  religion  in  general,  leaving  all 
men  however  free  to  act  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of 
their  own  consciences,  will  ever  meet  my  approba 
tion  and  support. 

"  I  am  sensible,  gentlemen,  that  I  cannot  do  jus 
tice  to  your  address  in  this  summary  reply.  I  must 
therefore  conclude,  by  repeating  to  you  the  assu 
rance  of  my  great  satisfaction  in  receiving  this  tes 
timony  of  your  regard,  and  by  requesting  you  to  ac 
cept  my  thanks  for  your  respectful  and  Christian  sa 
lutation." 

The  public  armed  ships  to  be  employed  in  the  sur 
vey  of  the  coast,  under  commodores  Bainbridge  and 
Perry,  had  been  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Portland, 
and  the  last  of  them  arrived  in  that  harbour,  in  the 
afternoon  of  this  day.  Here  the  President  sepa 
rated  from  those  distinguished  officers,  and  from  ge 
neral  Swift,  who  had  been  in  attendance  on  him  from 
the  moment  of  his  arrival  at  Baltimore.  On  the  fol 
lowing  morning,  the  vessels  sailed  for  Castine,  at 
which  place  the  survey  was  to  be  commenced,  and 
the  President,  with  his  secretary,  immediately  set 
out  for  Dover,  in  New  Hampshire.  Returning 
through  Biddeford,  he  breakfasted  with  judge 
Thatcher,  thence  proceeded  through  Berwick  and 
Somers,  and  reached  Dover  early  in  the  afternoon. 
The  citizens  received  him  with  many  manifestations 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  157 

of  joy,  and  in  the  evening  he  attended  an  assembly 
at  the  seat  of  the  honourable  William  Hale,  at  whose 
mansion  he  also  lodged. 

The  situation  of  general  Swift,  in  the  suite  of  the 
President,  was  now  occupied  by  brigadier-general 
Miller,  of  the  United  States  army,  accompanied 
by  whom,  he  left  Dover  on  the  morning  of  the  18th, 
and  was  escorted  by  the  citizens  through  N6tting- 
ham,  Northwood,  Epsom,  and  Chichester,  to  the 
confines  of  the  town  of  Concord.  The  selectmen  and 
a  committee  of  the  inhabitants  were  in  readiness  to 
receive  him;  and  being  first  saluted  by  a  company  of 
artillery  at  Concord  bridge,  he  was  conducted  to  his 
quarters,  at  Barker's  Hotel,  in  Main  street.  To  gra 
tify  the  desire  of  the  inhabitants  to  behold  the  chief 
magistrate  of  the  union,  a  platform  had  been  erected, 
on  which  it  was  proposed  to  deliver  to  him,  in  their 
presence,  a  congratulatory  address.  On  three  sides 
of  the  stage,  the  escort  infantry  companies  were  ar 
rayed  :  the  centre  was  occupied  by  the  President, 
and  the  committee  of  the  town,  by  the  chairman  of 
which,  the  honourable  Mr.  Thompson,  this  address 
was  then  delivered. 

"  Sir — Permit  us,  as  the  organ  of  the  citizens  of 
Concord,  to  express  the  high  satisfaction  we  feel,  in 
beholding  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  our 
village,  and  in  having  an  opportunity  to  present  you 
our  most  respectful  acknowledgments  for  the  distin 
guished  honour. 

"  Ail  hearts,  sir,  bid  you  welcome.  We  deem  it 
a  peculiarly  happy  circumstance,  that  in  discharg- 


158  A  NARRATIVE  O* 

ing  the  important  duty,  of  examining  the  works  of 
defence,  on  our  exterior  lines,  you  witness  univer 
sal  eagerness  and  cordiality,  in  the  salutations  you 
receive  in  every  place  you  visit.  Upon  this  auspi 
cious  occasion,  party  feelings  are  buried,  and  buried, 
we  would  hope,  for  ever.  A  new  era,  we  trust,  is 
commencing.  The  leading  measures  of  the  general 
government,  accord  remarkably  with  the  views  and 
principles  of  all  parties  ;  and  your  private  as  well 
as  public  character,  furnish  us  a  pledge  that  you  will 
endeavour  to  make  your  administration  a  blessing 
to  our  country.  And  we  pray  God  to  grant  you 
success,  and  have  you  under  his  holy  keeping. 

"  Accept,  sir,  our  best  wishes  that  your  present 
tour  may  be  eminently  useful  to  the  nation,  both  in 
affording  them  security  against  their  enemies,  and 
union  among  themselves. 

"THOMAS  W.  THOMPSON, 
"  For  the  Committee. 

"July  18,  1817." 

A  verbal  answer  was  returned,  and  the  President 
then  adjourned  to  an  apartment  in  the  hotel,  where 
he  joined  a  large  party  of  citizens  at  the  dinner 
table.  In  the  course  of  the  entertainment,  the  fol 
lowing  toast  was  announced  from  his  excellency. 

"  The  town  of  Concord — May  its  inhabitants  con 
tinue  to  flourish  and  prosper." 

A  concert  of  vocal  and  instrumental  music  \va 
given  in  the  evening  at  the  Meeting-house,  to  attend 
which  the  President  accepted  an  invitation,  and  the 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  159 

best  talent  of  the  town  was  summoned,  on  this  occa 
sion,  to  contribute  to  his  gratification. 

The  governor  of  New  Hampshire  being  prevent 
ed  from  paying  his  personal  respects  to  the  Presi 
dent,  by  a  severe  indisposition,  addressed  him  the 
following  explanatory  letter,  which  he  transmitted 
through  the  agency  of  the  secretary  of  state,  on  the 
day  after  his  arrival. 

"New  Hampshire,  Executive  Department, 
Epping-,  July  18,  1817. 

"  Dear  Sir — It  is  to  me  a  subject  of  much  regret, 
that  in  your  tour  through  New  Hampshire,  I  have 
been  unable  to  pay  you  that  respectful  attention,  and 
those  personal  civilities,  which  I  consider  due  both 
to  your  private  character,  and  official  station.  You 
were  verbally  informed,  while  at  Portsmouth,  of  my 
severe  indisposition ;  and  I  am  now  obliged  to  add, 
that  I  am  still  confined  to  my  chamber  and  bed,  hy 
an  attack  of  the  typhus  fever,  which  has  not  yet,  I 
fear,  reached  its  crisis.  This  unfortunate  event  has 
deprived  me  of  the  satisfaction  of  a  personal  inter 
view  with  yon  ;  and  prevented  me  from  receiving  a 
visit  at  this  place,  with  which  I  had  flattered  myself 
you  would  have  honoured  me. 

"  A  military  escort  having  been  called  out,  by  the 
governors  of  some  of  the  states,  to  accompany  you 
through  those  parts  of  the  country,  I  was  desirous 
that  the  same  tribute  of  respect  should  be  paid  you, 
on  your  passage  through  New  Hampshire.  The 
power  to  call  out  such  an  escort,  seemed,  at  first 
view,  incident  to  the  nature  of  my  office,  as  com- 


160  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

mander  of  the  militia  ;  yet  so  accurately  is  this  com 
mand  defined,  and  so  cautiously  restricted,  hy  the 
prudence,  or  the  jealousy,  of  our  state  constitution, 
that  I  have  am-,  jrity  at  no  time  to  order  out  the  mi 
litia,  except  for  certain  known  ohjects,  particularly 
designated  in  the  constitution,  and  by  the  laws  en 
acted  under  it.  I  have  thought  proper  to  make  this 
statement,  both  in  justice  to  myself,  and  to  the  state 
over  which  I  preside ;  a  state  which  yields  to  none 
in  the  union,  either  in  attachment  to  the  general  go 
vernment,  or  in  respect  to  the  distinguished  individu 
al  who,  with  its  full  consent  and  approbation,  has 
been  raised  to  the  first  office  in  the  gift  of  the  nation. 

"  This  letter  will  be  delivered  to  you  through  the 
secretary  of  state.  Had  health  permitted,  I  should 
have  taken  a  great  pleasure  in  waiting  upon  you,  in 
person,  during  the  time  you  remained  in  this  state, 
and  in  suggesting  some  objects  of  inquiry,  which 
might,  perhaps,  have  merited  your  attention  in  this 
part  of  our  common  country.  But  in  my  present 
condition,  lean  only  add  my  sincere  congratulations, 
and  my  best  wishes  for  the  success  of  your  adminis 
tration,  which  has  commenced  under  circumstances 
peculiarly  favourable  to  yourself,  and  to  our  beloved 
country. 

"  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  the  highest  per 
sonal  respect  and  esteem,  dear  sir,  your  most  obedi 
ent,  humble  servant, 

"  WILLIAM  PLUMER. 

"  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States, 
now  at  Concord,  New  Hampshire." 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  1G1 

On  Saturday  be  dined  with  the  honourable  Mr. 
Thompson,  arid  at  5  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  was 
received  by  a  large  assemblage  of  ladies  and  gentle 
men  on  board  the  pleasure  boat  "  President,"  which 
had  been  fitted  up  and  decorated,  especially  for  the 
occasion,  by  John  Langdon  Sullivan,  esq.  In  this 
barge,  and  followed  by  a  train  of  private  boats,  the 
party  descended  the  Merrimack,  by  Turkey  River 
falls,  to  Garven's  falls,  and  thence  through  the  five 
locks,  cut  round  the  falls,  into  the  river  below.  An 
excellent  band  of  music  was  provided,  to  enliven  the 
scene  $  the  serenity  and  smoothness  of  the  stream, 
which,  by  the  perseverance  and  enterprise  of  a  single 
individual,  had  been  converted  from  a  rude  and  use 
less  state,  into  a  source  of  wealth  and  commerce ;  and 
the  variegated  beauty  of  the  landscape,  presented 
from  both  shores,  contributed  to  the  pleasure  deriva 
ble  from  such  an  excursion.  The  company,  con 
sisting  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons,  returned  to 
Concord  by  land,  and  in  the  evening,  the  President 
honoured  colonel  Kent,  with  his  attendance  at  his 
house.  On  Sunday,  he  attended  the  service  at 
the  meeting  house,  and  at  five  on  the  morning  of 
Monday,  the  21st  of  July,  he  left  Concord,  and 
was  escorted  to  the  Oaks,  in  Boscawen,  by  the 
committee  of  arrangement.  At  Salisbury  he  break 
fasted,  and  thence  proceeded  through  Andover,  Wil- 
mot,  and  Springfield,  to  Willis,  in  Enfield.  Here  he 
dined,  and  in  the  afternoon  visited  the  «  Habitation 
of  the  Shaken  Community,"  where  he  was  received 
with  the  simplicity  by  which  that  sect  is  distinguish- 


16:2  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ed.  The  elder  came  forth,  and  addressed  him  thus  : 
— "  /  Joseph  Goodrich  welcome  thee,  James  Monroe, 
to  our  habitation."  The  President  was  then  permit 
ted  to  examine  the  institution  and  their  manufacto 
ries,  and  remained  there  ahont  an  hour.  In  the 
course  of  the  evening  he  arrived  at  Hanover. 

At  all  the  towns  through  which  the  President  pass 
ed,  he  was  escorted,  alternately  by  the  citizens,  and 
the  military.  Some  distance  from  Hanover,  he  was 
met  by  a  large  cavalcade  of  citizens,  on  horseback, 
and  in  carriages;  and  was  addressed,  on  his  arrival, 
by  the  honourable  Mr.  Olcott,  chairman  of  the  com 
mittee,  appointed  to  receive  and  congratulate  him, 
in  the  following  manner: 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

}<  Sir — In  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Hanover  and 
the  adjacent  towns,  we  beg  leave  respectfully  to  ten 
der  you  our  sincere  congratulations  on  your  safe 
arrival  in  this  place. 

66  Averse  as  we  are,  in  our  feelings  and  habits, 
from  any  parade  inconsistent  with  the  simplicity  of 
our  republican  institutions,  we  are  happy  that  the 
tour  of  your  excellency,  undertaken  for  the  promo 
tion  of  objects  of  great  national  importance,  affords 
us  an  opportunity  of  bidding  you  a  cordial  welcome 
to  the  banks  of  the  Connecticut,  and  the  verge  of  the 
Green  Mountains — the  seat  of  one  of  those  literary 
institutions  by  which  our  country  has  been  highly 
benefited,  and  honourably  distinguished.  A  semi 
nary  5  which  a  few  years  since  was  planted  in  a  wil- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  163 

derness,  can  exhibit  no  venerable  antiquities,  no 
proud  monuments  of  the  arts ;  yet  it  cannot  fail  to 
be  regarded  by  you  with  interest,  on  account  of  its 
relation  to  the  principles  and  permanency  of  our 
government. 

"  We  are  happy  to  offer,  personally,  that  respect 
which  is  due  to  your  elevated  station,  your  eminent 
public  services,  and  private  virtues.  It  contributes,  in 
no  small  degree,  to  the  pleasure  we  enjoy  on  this  occa 
sion,  that  we  meet  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  United 
States,  in  the  style  of  a  private  citizen,  distinguished, 
from  the  rest  of  the  community,  by  none  of  the  ordi 
nary  badges  of  authority,  and  depending  on  no  safe 
guards  but  the  good  wishes  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

"  We  deem  it  singular,  that  we  sec  among  us,  for 
the  first  time,  a  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation,  un 
der  circumstances  peculiarly  calculated  to  inspire 
feelings  of  satisfaction  and  joy.  A  new  and  auspi 
cious  era  seems  to  have  commenced  in  our  country. 
At  the  close  of  the  war,  in  which  our  prowess  in 
arms  shed  new  lustre  on  the  American  republic,  a 
spirit  of  peace  and  harmony  prevails  among  us.  A 
national  feeling  is  excited,  which  must  be  productive 
of  the  happiest  consequences.  The  unexampled  pro 
gress  of  our  country,  within  the  last  thirty  years,  in 
population  and  refinement;  the  improvements  in 
agriculture  and  manufactures ;  the  happiness  enjoy 
ed  by  the  people  of  the  United  States,  under  the  be 
nign  influence  of  the  federal  constitution ;  all  con 
tribute  to  strengthen  the  ties  of  union,  and  give  sta 
bility  to  our  excellent  political  institutions. 


164  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"  "We  sincerely  congratulate  you,  sir,  that  your 
election  to  the  first  office  in  the  gift  of  your  fellow 
citizens,  has  occurred  at  a  period  so  auspicious  and 
interesting,  under  circumstances  which  not  only 
evince  the  high  sense  which  is  entertained  of  your 
patriotism,  zeal,  and  fidelity;  but  furnish  a  sure- 
guarantee  of  the  impartiality  and  wisdom  of  your 
administration. 

"  That  the  blessings  of  heaven  may  attend  you 
through  life;  that  you  may  have  the  pleasure  of  see 
ing  our  beloved  country  prosperous  and  happy,  un 
der  your  auspices ;  and,  when  you  shall  retire  from 
the  cares  of  public  life,  that  you  may  be  followed  in 
to  retirement,  by  the  esteem  and  affection  of  a  vir 
tuous  and  grateful  people,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  those 
in  whose  behalf  we  have  the  honour  of  addressing  you. 
"  MILLS  OLCOTT,  "  ZIBA  HUNTINGDON, 

«  WM.  H.  WOODWARD,    "  ELIAS  LYMAN, 
"  BENJ.  J.  GILBERT,      "  GEORGE  E.  WALES, 
"  AMOS  A.  BREWSTER,  -«  PIERCE  BURTON, 
"  JONA  FRANKLIN,  "EuEN.  BROWN, 

"  SALMON  WASHBURN,    "  JOSEPH  CURTIS,  and 
"  JACOB  TURNER,  «  JOHN  DURKEE, 

"  DAVID  HOUGH, 

"  Committees  of  Dartmouth  -village.  Lime,  Le 
banon,  Hartford,  Norwich,  and  Hanover." 

The  following  is  the  President's  reply. 
"  To  the  Citizens  of  Hanover. 
"  Fellow  Citizens — Your  congratulations  are  the 
more  acceptable,  because  they  are  the  heart-felt  ex- 


THE  PRESIDENTS  TOUR.  165 

pressions  of  your  attachment  to  our  inestimable  form 
of  government. 

"  I  have  not  the  pretension,  to  arrogate  to  myself, 
the  emotion  of  the  sentiment  my  presence  awakens. 
It  recals  to  you  your  form  of  government,  and  the 
exalted  civil  and  religious  principles  you  so  eminent 
ly  enjoy.  The  contemplation  of  these,  and  the  se 
curity  you  feel  in  the  continuance  of  such  rich  posses 
sions,  fills  you  with  gratitude. 

"  The  recollections  of  the  trials  of  our  country, 
and  the  honourable  rank  to  which  these  have  rais 
ed  her,  inspires  a  laudable  pride  in  your  nation's 
honour,  and  it  is  to  give  utterance  to  these  sentiments 
and  the  emotions  they  excite,  that  such  public  de 
monstrations  of  respect  are  rendered  to  the  chief 
magistrate  of  the  country.  I  participate  in  the  sen 
timent  5  I  sympathise  with  you  in  these  emotions ;  I 
cannot,  therefore,  but  take  a  deep  interest  in  the  li 
terary  seminary  of  this  place ;  for  such  institutions 
will  long  supply  successive  generations  of  wise  and 
virtuous  men,  who  will  know  how  to  estimate  and 
preserve  the  blessings  of  civil  liberty,  that  their  fa 
thers  shall  bequeath  to  them. 

"  It  is  an  epoch  like  the  present,  when  an  honour 
able  peace  leaves  no  question  to  agitate  the  public, 
that  through  institutions  like  yours,  the  expanded 
benevolence,  and  high  sense  of  national  honour, 
which  are  essential  to  public  virtue,  should  be  every 
where  diffused  as  means  of  union.  These  cannot 
fail  to  produce  that  national  feeling,  from  which  you 
anticipate  such  happy  results. 


166  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"  I  cannot  but  acknowledge  your  expressions  ot 
personal  regard  and  respect.  That  the  blessings 
you  invoke  on  me,  may  abundantly  descend  on  your 
selves  and  your  children,  for  many  generations,  is 
truly  my  sincere  and  ardent  wish. 

"  JAMES  MONROE." 

The  President,  in  the  evening,  made  a  visit  to 
the  rival  corporations  of  the  university,  and  by  his 
presence  produced  a  reconciliation  between  many 
members  of  that  institution,  who  had,  for  years  be 
fore,  been  at  variance  with  each  other.  He  also  at 
tended  a  party  at  the  house  of  president  Brown, 
where  he  unexpectedly  met  the  widow  of  the  late 
president  Wheelock,  (aunt  to  major-general  Rip- 
ley,  of  the  United  States  army)  who  resided  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Trenton  at  the  period  when  the 
engagement  took  place  there,  in  1776,  and  who  ge 
nerously  officiated  as  his  nurse  after  he  received  his 
wound. 

Deputations  met  the  President  at  Hanover,  with 
invitations  from  Windsor,  Royalston,  Straiford, 
Montpellier,  and  other  towns.  To  gratify,  as  far 
as  possible,  the  wishes  of  the  inhabitants,  he  made 
choice  of  a  route  which  should  lead  him  through 
these  several  places.  On  Tuesday  he  left  Hanover, 
and  proceeded  with  general  Bradley,  of  Westmin 
ster,  and  colonel  George  Sullivan,  of  Boston,  to  Straf- 
ford,  and  visited  the  extensive  manufactory  of  cop 
peras  in  its  neighbourhood.  In  behalf  of  the  propri 
etors  of  this  establishment,  colonel  Binney  had  been 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  107 

delegated  to  invite  the  President  there,  and  to  ex 
plain  its  extent  and  utility.  He  was  conducted  by 
that  gentleman  throughout  the  manufactory,  of  which 
a  written  description  was  delivered  to  him,  setting 
forth  the  discovery  of  the  mineral,  the  commence 
ment  and  process  of  the  manufacture,  and  the  bene 
ficial  results  necessarily  accruing  to  the  country,  by 
rendering  it  independent  of  Europe,  for  the  supply 
of  an  essential  article  of  general  use.  From  these 
works  he  returned  to  Norwich  common,  at  Straf- 
ford,  where  he  received  the  congratulations  of  a 
large  concourse  of  people,  and  dined  in  company 
with  lieutenant-governor  Brigham,  judge  Brown, 
captain  Riley,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Woodward,  and  other 
citizens.  In  the  afternoon,  he  passed  down  the  Ver 
mont  side  of  the  river,  crossed  at  Lyman's  bridge 
into  New  Hampshire  again,  entered  Plainfield  and 
Cornish,  and  arrived  at  Windsor.  On  the  confines 
of  that  town,  a  numerous  collection  of  citizens,  some 
companies  of  military,  and  a  corps  of  artillery,  were 
already  in  waiting,  in  anticipation  of  his  arrival. 
Discharges  from  the  latter  gave  intimation  to  the 
people  within,  of  that  circumstance,  and  in  a  few 
minutes  he  alighted  at  Pitte's  Hotel,  where  a  writ 
ten  address  (which  follows)  was  read  to  him,  by 
colonel  Durham. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States,  at  Windsor, 
Vermont. 

ft  gjr — it  js  wftn  equal  pleasure  and  pride  that  the 
citizens  of  Windsor,  so  remote  from  the  seat  of  go- 


168  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

vernment,  embrace  this  opportunity  of  tendering  to 
you  in  person,  the  homage  of  their  profound  respect ; 
a  homage  not  the  less  becoming  the  occasion,  since 
it  is  the  best  tribute  which  freemen  can  offer,  and 
which  the  President  of  the  United  States  alone>  of 
all  the  world,  from  a  free  people  can  receive. 

"  The  state  of  Vermont,  sir,  after  having  alone, 
and  successively  borne  a  signal  share  in  the  heat 
and  burden  of  our  revolutionary  labours,  was  the 
first  to  appreciate  the  importance  of  our  federal 
compact,  and  to  solicit  admission  into  the  national 
union.  Under  that  compact,  sir,  in  the  sanctuary 
of  that  union  we  are  free — we  are  protected — we 
are  flourishing  and  happy.  Our  mountains  echo 
w  ith  the  cheerful  voice  of  industry  and  security ; 
our  vallies  smile  with  abundance  and  peace.  These 
blessings  are  dear  to  our  hearts.  We  habitually 
cherish  them  as  inseparable  from  our  existence.  In 
their  defence,  sir,  we  have  bled;  and  we  are  still 
ready,  should  our  country  call,  to  bleed  again. 

"  In  this  tour,  undertaken  through  a  remote  sec 
tion  of  the  union,  for  the  additional  security  of  our 
growing  republic,  you  have  an  opportunity  to  be 
come  acquainted  intimately  with  our  local  feelings — 
our  local  interests — our  republican  spirit — but  above 
all,  with  our  unshaken  attachment  to  our  national 
government,  and  our  national  institutions. 

"  We  feel  ourselves  flattered  by  this  first  visit 
from  the  chief  magistrate  of  our  nation,  and  in  be 
holding  your  face,  we  behold  a  new  pledge  for  the 
continuance  of  our  invaluable  blessings. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  169 

"  Placed,  sir,  as  you  have  fortunately  been,  in 
the  executive  chair,  by  the  almost  unanimous  voice 
of  our  country,  at  an  auspicious  moment,  when  peace 
is  again  restored  ;  when  the  loud  din  of  party  colli 
sion  is  dying-  away,  and  when  a  general  tranquillity 
seems  pervading  the  world,  we  offer  you  our  felici 
tations  on  the  pleasing  event.  And  while  we  rejoice 
in  your  opportunity,  we  rely  on  your  wisdom,  to  co 
operate  with  our  enlightened  patriots  and  legisla 
tors,  in  strengthening  our  republican  institutions, 
and,  under  the  guidance  of  heaven,  to  fix,  on  a  dura- 
hie  basis,  the  happy  destinies  of  a  great  and  rising 
empire. 

6i  From  our  unqualified  respect  of  your  personal 
character,  as  well  as  from  the  pledge  to  be  found  in 
a  long  life  devoted  to  the  public  good,  we  have  a 
right  to  anticipate  the  most  pleasing  results.  In  co 
pying  the  illustrious  examples  of  the  great  founders 
of  our  republic,  you  cannot  fail  to  advance  the  best 
interests,  and  the  true  glory  of  our  common  country, 
and  thus  to  erect  in  the  hearts  of  your  countrymen, 
an  imperishable  monument  to  your  own  fame.  With 
such  feelings,  and  with  such  views,  in  the  name  and 
in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Windsor,  we  bid  you  a 
cordial  welcome  to  this  village,  and  to  the  state  of 
Vermont. 

"  T.  LEVERETT,  "  A.  AIKINS, 

"  J.  DUNHAM,  "  E.  TORRY, 

"  H.  EVERETT. 

"  Committee.9' 


170  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

Tilt  President's  Answer. 

"  Fellow  Citizens — I  have  approached  the  state 
of  Vermont,  with  peculiar  sensibility.  On  a  former 
visit,  immediately  after  the  war,  I  left  it  a  wilder 
ness,  and  I  now  find  it  blooming  with  luxuriant 
promise  of  wealth  and  happiness,  to  a  numerous 
population.  A  brave  and  free  people  will  never 
abandon  the  defence  of  their  country.  The  patri 
otism  of  Vermont,  has  been  relied  on  in  times  of  pe 
ril;  and  the  just  expectation  of  their  virtue  was  ho 
nourably  sustained.  I  shall  ever  rely  on  their  wis 
dom  in  the  councils  of  the  nation,  as  on  their  courage 
in  the  field. 

"  The  confidence  now  universally  felt  in  the  sta 
bility  and  efficiency  of  our  government,  is  the  surest 
pledge,  that  all  judicious  measures,  adopted  for  the 
common  good  of  the  nation,  will  receive  the  cordial 
support  of  all  honest  and  honourable  men. 

"  I  rejoice  with  you,  that  a  just  sense  of  the  na 
tional  interests,  and  more  generous  feelings  per 
vade  the  country.  It  is  by  cherishing  these,  with  a 
liberal  reference  to  the  prosperity  and  happiness  of 
the  whole  union,  that  the  high  destiny  of  our  nation 
can  be  attained. 

"  The  true  principles  of  our  policy  are  now  well 
understood.  The  people  have  only  to  maintain  them 
with  vigour  and  economy,  and  all  the  great  objects 
of  national  concern,  under  a  benign  providence,  will 
be  secured  to  ourselves  and  our  posterity. 

""  JAMES  MONROE." 


1  HE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  171 

Before  he  departed  from  Windsor  he  visited  the 
Female  Academy,  and  received  from  the  pupils  an 

ADDRESS. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

**  Sir — Impressed  with  a  high  sense  of  the  ho 
nour,  which  the  inhabitants,  of  this  village  receive 
in  being  permitted  to  welcome  the  chief  magistrate 
of  the  union,  we  beg  leave,  in  behalf  of  the  young 
ladies  of  the  Windsor  Female  Academy,  to  present 
you  our  humble  tribute  of  respect ;  which,  although 
from  the  juvenile  female  pen,  will  not,  we  trust,  be 
unacceptable,  or  deemed  entirely  beneath  your  no 
tice.  While  we  regard  the  president  of  the  nation, 
as  the  protector  of  our  country,  the  preserver  of  our 
rights  and  dearest  privileges,  and  the  guardian  of 
our  literary  institutions,  our  hearts  glow  with  feel 
ings  of  gratitude,  and  we  delight  to  address  him  by 
the  endearing  appellation  of  patron  and  friend.  Per 
mit  us,  sir,  respectfully  to  congratulate  you  on  your 
safe  arrival  in  the  state  of  Vermont ;  on  the  present 
happy  and  prosperous  situation  of  the  country  over 
which  you  are  called  to  preside ;  that  the  olive  of 
peace  is  now  waving,  where  lately  the  clarion  of  war 
was  heard;  and  that  your  entrance  upon  public  du 
ties,  both  arduous  and  important,  is  at  a  time,  when, 
from  the  general  peace  and  tranquillity  that  reign, 
you  can  have  leisure  to  promote  the  happiness  and 
literary  attainments  of  the  rising  generation.  We 


172  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

feel  happy  that  the  visit  by  which  the  northern  states 
have  heen  so  highly  honoured,  has  been  undertaken 
at  a  time  when  every  thing  must  have  combined  to 
render  it  pleasant  to  yourself,  as  well  as  to  the  peo 
ple  5  and  we  believe  that  their  reception  of  you  has 
been,  v-nd  will  continue  to  be,  such  as  is  consonant 
to  their  views  of  respect  for  your  private  charac 
ter,  and  the  elevated  station  you  have  the  honour 
with  so  much  dignity  to  fill,  as  President  of  the  Uni 
ted  States.  That  you  may  long  live  in  the  affec 
tions  of  a  free  and  enlightened  people,  and  that  suc 
cess  may  crown  all  your  exertions  for  the  public 
good,  is  the  ardent  wish  of  many  a  patriotic,  al 
though  youthful  female  bosom. 

"  MARY  B.  REED, 

"  ELEUTHERA  D.  FAY, 

"  ELIZA  L.  KiMBAix, 
"  NANCY  H.  CHAMBERLAIN, 
"  CAROLINE  R.  HALE, 
66  ELIZABETH  PORTER, 

"  Committee." 

To  this  address,  which  was  deemed  particularly 
interesting  by  the  President,  he  was  pleased  to  make 

A  REPLY. 

"  Young  Ladies — I  beg  you  to  be  assured,  that 
no  attention  which  I  have  received  in  the  course  of 
my  route,  has  afforded  me  greater  satisfaction  than 
that  with  which  I  have  been  honoured  by  the  young 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  175 

ladies  of  the  Female  Academy  of  Windsor.  I  take 
a  deep  interest,  as  a  parent  and  citizen,  in  the  suc 
cess  of  female  education,  and  have  been  delighted 
wherever  I  have  been,  to  witness  the  attention  paid 
to  it.  That  you  may  be  distinguished  for  your 
graceful  and  useful  acquirements,  and  for  every 
amiable  virtue,  is  the  object  of  my  sincere  desire. 
Accept  my  best  wishes  for  your  happiness. 

"JAMES  MONROE. 
"  The  members  of  the  Windsor  Female  Academy/' 

At  the  early  hour  of  six,  on  Wednesday  morning, 
the  23d,  he  resumed  his  journey,  and  reached  Mont- 
pellier,  the  same  evening.  The  citizens  of  that  town 
were  prepared  to  receive  him,  and  a  deputation  re 
presenting  tiicm,  delivered  an  address. 

«  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

<(  Sir — The  citizens  of  Montpellier  and  its  vici 
nity,  have  directed  their  committee  to  present  you 
their  respectful  salutations,  and  bid  you  a  cordial 
welcome. 

"  The  infancy  of  our  settlements  places  our  pro 
gress  in  the  arts  and  sciences  something  behind 
most  of  our  sister  states,  but  we  shall  not  be  denied 
some  claim  to  a  share  of  that  ardent  love  of  liberty, 
and  the  rights  of  man ;  that  attachment  to  the  honour 
and  interests  of  our  country,  which  now  distinguish 
the  American  character,  while  the  fields  of  the  Hub- 
bardston,  the  heights  of  Walloonsack,  and  the  plains 


tf'4  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

of  Plattsburg,  are  admitted  to  witness  in  our  favour. 
Many  of  those  we  now  represent,  ventured  their 
lives  in  the  revolutionary  contest;  and  permit  us, 
sir,  to  say,  the  value  of  this  opportunity  is  greatly 
enhanced  hy  the  consideration,  that  we  now  tender 
our  respects  to  one,  who  shared  in  all  the  hardships 
and  dangers  of  that  eventful  period,  which  gave  li 
berty  and  independence  to  our  country ;  nor  are  we 
unmindful,  that  from  that  period  until  now,  every 
public  act  of  your  life  evinces  an  unalterable  attach 
ment  to  the  principles  for  which  you  then  con 
tended. 

"  With  such  pledges  we  feel  an  unlimited  confi 
dence,  that  should  your  measures  fulfil  your  inten 
tions,  your  administration,  under  the  guidance  of 
divine  providence,  will  be  as  prosperous  and  happy 
as  its  commencement  is  tranquil  and  promising;  and 
that  the  honour,  the  rights  and  interests  of  the  na 
tion  will  pass  from  your  hands  unimpaired. 
"  JAMES  FISK, 

«  For  the  Committee.'9 

The  President  returned  an  extemporaneous  and 
very  satisfactory  reply. 

He  rested  that  night  at  Montpellier,  and  advanced 
with  expedition  towards  Burlington  the  following 
day.  The  chief  persons  of  that  town  rode  as  far  as 
Willston,  to  receive  him;  and  having  attended  him 
to  his  quarters,  the  chairman  of  a  committee  ap 
pointed  to  wait  on  him,  expressed  the  sentiments  of 
the  inhabitants  in  this  address : 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  175 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

"  Sir — In  behalf  of  the  inhabitants  of  Burlington, 
and  its  vicinity,  we  congratulate  you  on  your  safe 
arrival  within  this  part  of  the  state  of  Vermont. 

"  Living  under  a  government  of  our  own  choice, 
where  birth  and  hereditary  titles  create  no  factitious 
privileges  $  where  the  avenues  of  office  are  open  to 
exalted  merit ;  and  where  virtue  and  worth  confer 
the  only  distinctions  known  to  our  law;  the  citizen 
is  under  a  moral  obligation  to  respect  the  authorities 
of  his  country  1 

"  Permit  us,  sir,  to  avail  ourselves  of  the  opportu 
nity  afforded  us  by  this  interview,  to  assure  you  of 
a  cordial  respect,  and  while  we  testify  the  high  sense 
we  entertain  of  your  private  worth,  to  discharge  the 
pleasing  task  of  tendering,  to  the  chief  magistrate  of 
our  country,  the  respect  due  to  his  exalted  station. 

"  The  pleasure  of  a  personal  acquaintance  is  much 
increased  by  a  knowledge  of  the  objects  of  your  visit. 
In  common  with  yourself  and  every  virtuous  citizen, 
we  indulge  an  honest  pride  in  contemplating  the  civil 
institutions  of  our  country,  and  rejoice  in  every  mea 
sure  which  has  for  its  object  the  protection  and  secu 
rity  of  the  people.  In  proportion  to  the  value,  to  the 
blessings  of  rational  liberty,  should  be  our  exertions 
to  render  the  enjoyment  of  them  secure.  Placed 
upon  the  frontiers  of  the  United  States,  in  situations 
assailable  by  the  sudden  irruptions  of  an  invading 
foe,  the  dangers  to  which  we  may  be  exposed  give 


176  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

additional  value  to  any  precautionary  measures  of 
defence. 

"  We  rejoice  that  the  noise  of  war,  is  lost  in  the 
busy  arts  of  peace,  that  the  citizen  is  left  to  the 
honest  pursuits  of  industry  and  enterprize,  under  a 
confidence  that  his  interest  is  identified  with  that  of 
the  public.  But  you  will  not  believe  us  alarmed  by 
idle  fears,  when  we  assure  you  that  the  recent 
events  on  this  frontier  have  shown  us,  that  whatever 
we  hold  dear  may  be  jeopardized  by  the  chance  of 
war.  The  citizens  of  Vermont  will  not  soon  forget 
the  memorable  eleventh  of  September,  eighteen  hun 
dred  and  fourteen,  or  fail  to  appreciate  the  worth  of 
those  who  so  valiantly  defended  their  country's  flag, 
and  secured  to  themselves  immortal  glory.  The 
anxious  solicitude  of  this  awful  but  glorious  day, 
has  forcibly  impressed  upon  our  minds,  the  truth  of 
the  position,  that  peace  is  the  time  to  prepare  for 
war. 

"  We  are  pleased  to  know  that  this  subject  has 
already  engaged  your  attention.  From  a  personal 
inspection  of  the  various  parts  of  our  extended  re 
public,  you  will  be  enabled  the  better  to  ascertain 
its  vulnerable  points,  and  advise  to  measures  of  fu 
ture  security.  Nor  is  this  subject  an  uninteresting 
one.  The  patriot  whose  liberal  soul  is  animated  by 
the  prospect  of  ameliorating  the  condition  of  his  fel 
low  men,  here  finds  an  object  commensurate  to  his 
desires,  and  while  he  generously  devotes  himself  to 
the  welfare  of  his  country,  he  is  sustained  by  a  con 
sciousness  that  his  exertions  have  promoted  its  glory. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  177 

Nature,  also,  seems  to  have  designated  our  beloved 
country  as  the  scene  of  no  ordinary  exertions.  She 
has  here  scattered  her  gifts  with  a  munificent  hand, 
and  points  the  way  to  high  and  ennobling  pursuits. 
The  vast  extent  of  our  territory;  the  grandeur  of  its 
scenery ;  its  mountains ;  its  rivers,  and  its  inland 
seas ;  the  abundance  of  its  means,  together  with  the 
progress  of  population  and  improvement,  combine 
to  render  it  an  object  of  sublime  contemplation. 

"  The  alacrity  and  zeal  with  which  you  have  en 
gaged  in  the  military  and  naval  defences  of  our  coun 
try,  is  an  additional  pledge  of  your  honourable  mo 
tives  and  patriotic  wishes. 

"  That  your  labour  may  be  crowned  with  abun 
dant  success,  and  that  you  may  long  live  to  reap  the 
rich  reward  of  a  life  well  spent  in  the  service  of  your 
country,  is  our  most  earnest  wish. 

"  DANIEL  FARRAND, 
"  For  the  Committee  of  Arrangement. 

"  BurEngton,  July  24,  1817." 

The  President's  Reply  to  the  Citizens  of  Burlington. 

"  Fellow  Citizens. — In  entering  the  town  of  Bur 
lington,  I  find  myself  in  view  of  a  scene,  associated 
in  every  bosom  with  the  dearest  interest  and  highest 
honour  of  the  country.  The  eventful  action  on  your 
lake  and  its  invaded  shores,  can  never  be  contem 
plated  without  the  deepest  emotion.  It  bound  the 
union  by  stronger  ties,  if  possible,  than  ever.  It 
filled  every  breast  with  confidence  in  our  arms,  and 


17 S  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

aroused  the  spirit  of  the  country.  The  proximity 
of  these  scenes  shall  animate  our  children,  to  emu 
late  the  honourahle  example  of  their  fathers.  They, 
too,  shall  realise  that  in  the  hour  of  peril,  their  coun 
try  shall  never  want  defenders,  resolute  and  brave 
as  their  ancestors,  and  firm  as  the  mountains  that 
gave  them  birth. 

"  Truly  no  nation  has  richer  treasures  of  civil  or 
religious  liberty  to  defend.  None  stronger  ties  to 
united  and  to  enlightened,  and  to  extended  pa 
triotism.  That  a  just  sense  of  these  truths  pervades 
the  community,  is  evinced  in  the  respect  which  you 
tender  to  the  office  of  chief  magistrate  of  the  coun 
try  in  my  person. 

"  The  important  objects  of  my  tour  become  the 
more  interesting,  as  I  find  the  frontier  more  exposed. 
You  may  feel  assured,  that  the  government  will  not 
withhold  any  practicable  measures  for  the  security 
of  your  town ;  nor  have  I  ever  doubted  that  prepa 
ration  for  defence  in  time  of  peace,  would  ever  prove 
the  best  economy  in  war. 

"  If  in  pursuing  these  important  objects,  and  ad 
ministering  the  government  upon  principles  conso 
nant  with  the  benign  spirit  of  our  constitution,  my 
sincere  and  honest  efforts  should  be  crowned,  as  you 
wish,  with  abundant  success ;  it  will  be  a  real  gra 
tification  to  myself,  that  you  and  your  state  will 
eminently  participate  in  the  beneficent  providential 
result. 

"JAMES    MOJTROE/' 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  179 

At  Burlington,  after  receiving  the  visits  of  many 
other  respectable  citizens,  he  embarked  in  a  steam 
boat,  placed  under  his  orders,  and  proceeded  to 
wards  the  town  of  Vergcnnes,  situated  upon  Great 
Otter  creek,  and  the  harbour  where  the  whole  of  the 
fleet,  afterwards  commanded  by  commodore  Mac- 
donough,  had  been  built  and  equipped.  The  exten 
sive  manufactory  of  cast  and  sheet  iron,  the  furnaces, 
forges,  machinery,  and  implements  used  in  that  es 
tablishment,  were  examined  by  him  with  much  at 
tention.  When  he  had  completed  his  observation 
of  these,  and  such  other  objects  of  importance,  as 
the  town  presented,  he  again  embarked  under  civil 
and  military  attentions  and  honours,  and  sailed 
down  the  lake  Champlain  for  Plattsburg. 


180  A  NARRATIVE  OF 


CHAPTER  IX. 


The  President  visits  the  Military  Works  at  Rouse's 
Point — lands  at  Plattsburg — Description  of  the 
Attack  upon  that  Town — Chateaugay — Ogdens- 
burg — Address  of  the  Citizens — the  President  pro 
ceeds  to  Watertoivn,  and  reaches  Sackets  Harbour 
— Addressed  by  the  veteran  Officers — by  the  Citi 
zens — some  Account  of  the  Defence  of  that  Place — 
the  President  sails  for  Fort  Niagara — arrives  at 
Buffaloe. 

IN  anticipation  of  the  expected  arrival  of  the  chief 
magistrate  at  Plattsburg,  the  corporation  of  the  town, 
and  the  state  and  military  officers,  had  already  made 
such  dispositions  and  arrangements  as  should  mani 
fest  their  respect  for  himself,  and  their  attachment  to 
the  government  and  the  laws.  Orders  had  heen 
promulgated  to  call  out  the  military ;  and  the  artil 
lery  in  the  cantonment  were  directed  to  observe  and 
communicate  the  intelligence  of  his  approach  by  sig 
nal  guns. 

When  the  Phoenix  steam  boat  had  reached  Rouse's 
Point,  the  President  debarked  and  examined  the 
military  works  constructing  at  that  position;  and 
having  returned  to  the  vessel,  she  again  made  sail, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  181 

and  arrived  before  the  town.  Colonel  Atkinson's 
barge  immediately  rowed  to  the  boat,  and  convey 
ed  the  President  on  shore,  under  the  customary  dis 
charges.  At  his  landing,  general  Brown,  colonel 
Atkinson,  colonel  Snelling,  (distinguished  for  his 
gallantry  throughout  the  war)  and  the  members  of 
the  corporation  met,  and  conducted  him  to  his  quar 
ters,  while  the  military  joined  the  procession  in  the 
advance  and  rear. 

He  was  there  presented  with  an  address  from  the 
corporation,  by  R.  H.  \Yalworth,  esq.  to  which  he 
returned  a  suitable  extemporary  answer.  A  number 
of  citizens  then  entered  his  apartment,  and  were  re 
ceived  in  a  cordial  and  friendly  manner. 

These  ceremonies  being  concluded,  the  President 
made  a  visit  to  colonel  Atkinson,  and,  in  company 
with  that  officer,  proceeded  to  the  cantonment,  and 
reviewed  the  line  of  troops,  consisting  of  a  company 
of  cavalry,  under  captain  Sperry,  a  detachment  from 
the  line  under  captain  N.  S.  Clarke,  and  the  Piatts- 
burg  riflemen ;  all  of  whom  were  kept  under  arms 
for  the  purpose.  Colonel  Snelling- s  regiment  per 
formed  a  variety  of  manoeuvres  before  the  Presi 
dent,  with  a  precision  and  accuracy  reflecting  much 
credit  on  the  corps  and  its  commander.  The  Pre 
sident,  after  the  parade,  called  at  colonel  Snelling's 
quarters,  and  in  the  evening  attended  a  party  at 
captain  Sidney  Smith's,  of  the  United  States  navy. 

The  inspection  of  the  troops  stationed  at  Platts- 
burg,  and  the  examination  of  the  defences  of  that 
place,  were  made  by  the  President,  with  the  utmost 


182  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

scrutiny.  The  assailable  situation  of  the  town,  at 
the  mouth  of  the  River  Saranac,  on  the  west  side 
of  Lake  Champlain,  and  the  consequent  necessity  of 
its  being  sufficiently  fortified  to  give  a  successful  re 
sistance  to  the  incursion  of  an  enemy,  was  apparent 
to  the  government.  Its  great  importance,  as  the 
key  to  the  entrance  of  New  York,  from  the  lake, 
called  for  the  attentive  investigation  of  its  condition, 
and  means  of  defence,  and  of  the  plans  necessary  to 
adopt,  to  render  it,  if  possible,  impregnable.  He 
availed  himself  of  the  presence,  and  of  the  intelli 
gence  and  experience  of  the  gentlemen  of  the  army, 
to  obtain  the  desired  information,  and  to  require 
from  them  suggestions  for  such  improvements  as 
might  contribute  to  the  completion  of  the  design. 

The  necessity  of  protecting  the  harbour  of  Platts- 
burg,  by  strong  fortification,  and  an  efficient  garri 
son,  was  not  only  indicated  by  its  exposed  position, 
but  was  evident  from  its  having  been  the  theatre  of 
military  operations  during  the  late  war.  It  was 
here  that  the  governor-general  of  the  Canadas,  sir 
George  Provost,  meditated  the  invasion  of  the  Ame 
rican  territory  ;  the  defeat  arid  destruction  of  the 
right  division  of  the  United  States  army,  then  lying 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  Plattsburg ;  and  the  subju 
gation  of  the  country,  to  Crown  Point  and  Ticonde- 
roga.  It  Mas  here,  too,  that  he  was  so  signally 
and  gallantly  repulsed  by  a  very  inferior  body  of 
troops,  under  general  M'Comb. 

Transports  had  been  continually  arriving  at  Que- 
,bec,  from  England,  and  such  was  the  secrecy  and 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  183 

address,  with  which  sir  George  made  preparations 
for  his  intended  expedition,  that  by  the  first  of 
September,  1814,  he  had  organised  an  army  of 
fourteen  thousand  men,  opposite  Montreal,  consti 
tuted  of  the  most  experienced  generals,  and  distin 
guished  officers,  of  the  British  army.  With  these 
troops  he  occupied  the  village  of  Champlain,  and 
made  gradual  approaches  upon  Plattsburg,  until  the 
sixth  of  the  month.  On  that  day  he  made  a  rapid 
advance,  in  two  columns,  upon  two  distinct  points, 
and  an  engagement  immediately  followed,  between 
his  advance  and  the  American  light  parties,  which 
receded  before  him,  taking  up  the  bridges  in  their 
rear  as  they  crossed  the  Saranac.  With  the  planks 
of  these  they  formed  «  breast- work,  behind  which 
they  protected  themselves  in  defending  the  passes. 
By  the  destruction  of  the  bridges,  and  the  fire  of  the 
gun-boats  and  gallies,  anchored  in  front  of  the  town, 
the  enemy's  approaches  were  greatly  impeded.  But 
not  all  the  gallies,  aided  by  the  armament  of  the 
whole  flotilla,  which  then  lay  opposite  Plattsburg, 
under  commodore  Macdonough,  could  have  prevent 
ed  the  capture  of  M<  Comb's  army,  after  its  passage 
of  the  Saranac,  had  sir  George  Prevost  pushed  his 
whole  force  upon  the  margin  of  that  stream.  Like 
general  Drummond,  at  Erie,  however,  he  made  a 
pause,  in  full  view  of  the  unfinished  works  of  the 
Americans,  and  consumed  five  days  in  erecting  bat 
teries,  and  throwing  up  breast-works,  for  the  pro 
tection  of  his  approaches.  Of  this  interval,  the 
American  general  did  not  fail  to  avail  himself,  and 


(84  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

kept  his  troops  constantly  employed  in  finishing 
his  line  of  redoubts.  Whilst  hoth  parties  were  thus 
engaged,  in  providing  for  the  protection  of  their 
forces,  the  main  hody  of  the  British  army  came  up 
with  the  advance ;  and  general  M'Comb  was  also 
reinforced  by  the  militia  of  New  York,  and  the  vo 
lunteers  of  Vermont.  Skirmishes  between  light  par 
ties;  sallies  from  the  different  works;  and  frequent 
attempts  to  restore  the  bridges ;  served  to  amuse  the 
besiegers  and  the  besieged,  while  the  former  were 
getting  up  a  train  of  battering  cannon,  and  the  lat 
ter  strengthening  their  lines,  and  preparing  to  repel 
the  attack.  The  British  general,  feeling  assured  of 
his  ability,  at  any  time,  to  destroy  the  American 
works,  by  a  single  effort,  was  regardless  of  the  man 
ner  in  which  they  might  be  strengthened,  and  await 
ed  the  arrival  of  the  British  squadron,  under  captain 
Downie,  from  the  lake,  in  co-operation  with  which 
he  contemplated  a  general  attack,  and  the  easy  cap 
ture  of  the  American  fleet  and  army.  His  fleet,  at 
length,  appeared  round  Cumberland  Head,  and  im 
mediately  engaged  the  squadron  under  commodore 
Macdonough,  then  moored  in  Plattsburg  Bay.  The 
first  gun,  was  the  signal  for  a  general  action,  and 
sir  George  Prevost  instantly  opened  his  batteries 
upon  the  works  on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  Saranac. 
A  tremendous  cannonade  ensued  ;  bomb  shells  and 
Congreve  rockets  were  thrown  into  the  American 
lines  during  the  whole  day,  and  frequent,  but  inef 
fectual,  attempts  made  to  ford  the  river.  At  a  good 
fording  place,  three  miles  from  the  works,  the  prin- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR, 

cipal  slaughter  took  place.  There  the  enei 
ceeded  in  crossing  over  a  portion  of  his  troops,  he- 
fore  his  advance  was  at  all  impeded ;  hut  a  hody  of 
volunteers  and  militia,  stationed  in  a  contiguous 
wood,  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  them,  and,  after  a 
spirited  contest,  in  which  one  of  the  enemy's  compa 
nies  was  entirely  destroyed,  and  all  its  officers  either 
killed  or  wounded ;  those  who  had  attained  the  shore 
fell  back  in  disorder,  upon  an  approaching  column, 
then  in  the  middle  of  the  river.  The  receding  and 
advancing  columns  mingled  with  each  other,  and  be 
ing  closely  pressed  by  the  volunteers,  the  whole  bo 
dy  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  confusion,  from  which 
the  officers  could  not  recover  them ;  numbers  were 
killed  in  the  stream,  and  the  dead  and  wounded  be 
ing  swept  along  by  the  force  of  the  current,  sunk 
into  one  common  grave. 

But  the  result  of  the  engagement  between  the  two 
naval  armaments,  which  continued  upwards  of  two 
hours,  ultimately  determined  the  action  upon  land. 
The  plans  of  the  British  general  were  completely 
frustrated  by  its  issue ;  the  whole  of  his  larger  ves 
sels,  having  struck  to  the  United  States'  flag,  three 
of  the  row  gallies  being  destroyed,  and  the  remain 
der  escaping  from  the  bay  in  a  shattered  condition. 
The  annihilation  of  his  fleet  being  announced  to  sir 
George,  he  immediately  withdrew  his  forces  from 
the  assault  of  the  American  works.  From  his  bat 
teries,  however,  he  kept  up  a  constant  fire,  until  the 
dusk  of  the  evening,  when  being  silenced  by  the 
temporary  forts,  Moreau,  Brown  and  Scott,  he  re- 


i8G  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

tired  from  the  contest,  and  at  nine  at  night,  sent  off 
liis  artillery,  and  all  the  baggage,  for  which  lie  could 
obtain  transport.  At  midnight  he  made  a  precipi 
tate  and  disgraceful  retreat,  leaving  behind  him  all 
his  sick  and  wounded.  A  pursuit  was  commenced, 
in  which  four  hundred  prisoners  were  taken,  but  a 
sudden  storm  prevented  its  continuance.  Immense 
quantities  of  provisions,  bomb-shells,  cannon  balls, 
grape  shot,  ammunition,  flints,  intrenching  tools, 
tents  and  marques,  were  taken  from  the  invaders, 
and  they  are  supposed  to  have  lost  about  fifteen  hun 
dred  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  consequences  which  would  have  resulted  from 
the  success  of  the  British  arms  at  Plattsburg,  would 
never  have  ceased  to  be  felt  by  the  people  of  the 
United  States  generally.  The  western  part  of  New 
York,  and  the  whole  state  of  Vermont,  would  have 
been  entirely  overrun,  the  contiguous  province  of 
Maine  subjugated,  and  the  territory  to  this  day  be 
probably  retained  by  the  conquerors.  Had  the  co 
operation  of  the  American  fleet  been  withheld,  or  its 
equipment  not,  at  that  time,  completed,  the  fall  of  the 
post  must  have  been  inevitable,  guarded,  as  it  was, 
by  defences  too  weak  and  inadequate  to  resist  effec 
tually  the  assault  of  so  powerful  an  army.  The  aug 
mentation  of  these,  therefore,  and  the  establishment 
of  a  regular  cantonment  at  that  place,  were  looked 
upon  as  measures  of  absolute  necessity,  and  the  pre 
sence  of  the  chief  officer  of  the  government,  tended 
to  facilitate  the  progress  of  such  works  as  had  been 
already  commenced,  and  enabled  him  to  ascertain 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  187 

what  additional  garrisons  were  required,  and  to  se 
lect  suitable  points  upon  which  to  erect  them. 

On  Sunday,  the  27th,  the  President  attended  pub 
lic  worship,  entertained  the  corporation,  and  some 
officers  of  the  cantonment,  at  dinner,  at  his  quarters, 
and  spent  the  evening  at  judge  Dclord's. 

The  following  morning,  an  escort  of  cavalry  under 
captain  Sperry  being  provided,  the  President  departed 
from  Plattsburg,  followed  by  a  numerous  collection  of 
citizens  on  horseback,  and  took  the  route  through  the 
Chateaugay  wood.  Some  miles  in  this  wood  a  rural 
banquet  had  been  prepared,  and  was  so  contrived,  that 
after  the  President  had  travelled  several  hours  upon 
a  fatiguing  road,  he  should,  upon  turning  one  of  its 
angles,  unexpectedly  find  refreshments  in  readiness 
for  him.  The  repast  was  handsomely  adapted  to 
the  character  of  the  place,  and  the  seats  provided 
for  his  excellency  and  the  most  distinguished  citizens, 
were  shaded  by  arches  of  evergreen.  Having  ex 
pressed  his  gratification  at  this  additional  mark  of 
attention  and  respect,  the  President  took  leave  of 
the  escort,  and  advanced  through  that  road  towards 
Ogdensburg.  He  arrived  at  the  town  of  Hamilton, 
on  the  St.  Lawrence,  on  Thursday  the  31st  of  July, 
and  on  Friday,  the  1st  of  August,  he  was  met  by  a 
party  of  gentlemen  from  Ogdensburg,  by  whom,  pre 
ceded  by  a  band  of  music,  of  which  Mr.  Curphew 
was  the  leader,  he  was  escorted  under  the  direction 
of  colonel  Arnold,  to  the  residence  of  Gr.  Parish,  esq. 
Upon  his  arrival  at  that  gentleman's  house,  where 
he  was  to  dine,  he  received  the  respects  of  the  citi- 


188  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

zens,  and  the  trustees  and  inhabitants  of  the  town, 
delivered  him  their  address,  through  Louis  Has- 
bauch,  esq. 

"  To  the  President  of  the  United  States,  by  the  Citizens 
of  Ogdensburg,  New  York. 

i(  Sir — The  trustees  and  inhabitants  of  this  vil 
lage  welcome,  with  peculiar  satisfaction,  your  arri 
val  in  health  among  them,  after  your  long  and  fa 
tiguing  journey,  through  many  of  our  yet  infant 
settlements. 

(i  In  common  with  the  nation,  we  have  viewed, 
with  much  interest,  your  important  tour  along  our 
seaboard  and  frontier,  particularly  confiding  in  your 
observation,  wisdom,  and  experience,  for  the  esta 
blishment  of  such  points  of  national  defence,  along 
our  immediate  border,  as  will  best  promote  our  in 
dividual  prosperity,  and  strengthen  the  national  se 
curity.  Born  and  educated  under  a  government, 
whose  laws  we  venerate;  enjoying  a  soil  rich  in  the 
bounties  of  providence,  and  grateful  for  the  invalua 
ble  blessings  of  liberty,  bequeathed  to  us  by  the  he 
roes  of  the  revolution,  no  excitement  will  be  want 
ing,  on  our  part,  to  maintain,  defend,  and  transmit 
to  posterity,  the  benefits  we  so  eminently  possess. 
Experience,  however,  has  taught  us,  that  individual 
or  sectional  exertions,  be  they  ever  so  ardent,  unless 
aided  by  the  strong  and  protecting  arm  of  govern 
ment,  afford  but  feeble  defence  against  a  powerful 
foe.  Placed  on  a  frontier  contiguous  to  a  warlike 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  189 

and  powerful  nation ;  enjoying  the  advantages  of  an 
extensive  and  increasing  navigation,  it  is  peculiarly 
important,  that  our  local  situation  should  be  well  un 
derstood.  At  the  commencement  of  the  late  war  the 
attention  of  government  was,  in  the  first  instance, 
naturally  drawn  to  the  defence  of  that  extensive  line 
of  sea  coast,  on  which  the  immense  maritime  force 
of  the  enemy  could  be  more  effectually  exerted,  and 
consequently,  the  more  remote  and  interior  de 
fences  did  not,  perhaps,  receive  the  same  protection 
which  their  importance  warranted.  But,  commen 
cing  your  administration  in  a  time  of  profound 
peace;  enjoying  the  confidence  of  the  nation;  and 
presiding  over  a  government,  proud  of  its  honour, 
tenacious  of  its  rights,  and  possessing  the  requisite 
resources ;  we  flatter  ourselves,  should  any  collisions 
hereafter  take  place  (which  we  pray  heaven  to  avert) 
your  penetration  and  judgment,  aided  by  your  local 
observation,  will  have  pointed  out  and  perfected  such 
a  line  of  defences,  as  will  insure  our  personal  safety, 
and  redound  to  the  prosperity  and  honour  of  the 
nation. 

"  That  you  may  establish  these  desirable  objects, 
progress  in  your  important  tour  with  safety,  and  re 
turn  happily  to  the  bosom  of  your  domestic  circle, 
is,  sir,  the  fervent  prayer  of  your  obedient  ser 
vants." 

His  excellency  made  a  verbal  reply  to  the  follow 
ing  effect : 

He  thanked  the  citizens  of  Ogdensburg  for  their 
attention  and  very  polite  reception ;  he  received  them 


190  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

as  marks  of  respect  to  the  first  magistrate  of  the 
nation,  not  by  any  means  arrogating  them  to  himself, 
as  an  individual.  It  gave  him  great  pleasure,  be 
cause  it  evinced  an  attachment  of  the  people  to  that 
form  of  government,  which  they  themselves  had  es 
tablished.  He  was  satisfied  they  held  its  value  in 
just  estimation,  and  were  sincerely  devoted  to  its 
preservation,  and  in  administering  it,  he  would  sup 
port  its  principles,  and,  to  his  best  ability,  promote 
the  interests  of  the  country.  As  the  address  cor 
rectly  stated,  his  journey  was  connected  with  objects 
of  national  defence,  and  was  undertaken  for  the  pur 
pose  of  acquiring  such  information,  as  would  better 
enable  him  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office;  that 
large  sums  of  money  had  been  appropriated  by  the 
government,  the  judicious  application  of  which  de 
pended  much  on  the  executive.  He  perfectly  agreed 
that  a  time  of  peace  was  the  best  time  to  prepare  for 
defence,  but  had  much  pleasure  in  stating,  that  the 
best  understanding  prevailed  between  our  govern 
ment,  and  that  of  Great  Britain,  and  was  persuaded 
we  had  every  reason  to  look  for  a  permanent  peace. 
He  said  that  the  importance  of  the  situation  along 
the  St.  Lawrence,  had  not  escaped  his  observation, 
and,  during  his  progress  in  this  country,  he  was 
much  gratified  to  find  it  fertile  and  abundant,  and 
inhabited  by  an  enterprising,  industrious,  and  he 
believed,  a  virtuous  people. 

In  the  evening  the  President  was  joined  by  major- 
general  Brown  of  the  United  States  army,  and  his 
whole  suite,  accompanied  by  whom  he  repaired  to 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  191 

Morristown,  and  lodged  with  the  honourable  judge 
Ford.  On  Saturday  the  2d,  he  viewed  Mr.  Parish's 
extensive  and  very  valuable  iron  works  at  Rossie, 
considered  to  he  an  establishment  of  great  public 
importance,  and  of  usefulness  to  the  surrounding 
country.  From  Rossie  he  proceeded  to  Antwerp, 
Jefferson  county,  where  he  was  met  by  Mr.  Le  Ray 
and  others,  and  conducted  to  Le  Rayville.  Here 
he  remained  all  that  night.  Early  on  the  3d, 
he  was  waited  upon  by  the  committee  of  ar 
rangement,  from  Watertown,  and  was  escorted 
thence  by  three  troops  of  horse,  under  captains 
Loomis,  Fairbank,  and  White,  to  the  house  of  Mr. 
Isaac  Lee,  in  Watertown,  where  he  partook  of  some 
refreshments,  and  received  a  concise  though  flatter 
ing  address  from  the  citizens.  Attended  by  the  same 
escort,  the  President  then  proceeded  to  Brownsville, 
where  he  lodged. 

On  Monday  the  4th,  the  committee  from  Sacket's 
Harbour  joined  the  escort  at  Brownsville,  and  con 
ducted  the  President  to  the  Harbour.  Upon  his 
arrival  at  the  bridge,  at  the  bounds,  he  was  saluted 
with  nineteen  guns.  The  bridge  was  tastefully  fitted 
up  with  nineteen  arches,  on  which  were  inscribed 
the  names  of  the  several  presidents;  the  first  arch 
being  surmounted  by  a  living  American  eagle.  At 
its  extremity,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  intro 
duced  to  the  President  a  number  of  veteran  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  revolution,  by  whom  he  was  thus 
addressed : 


192  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

t(  Sir — It  is  with  pleasure  that  we,  a  few  of  the 
survivors  of  the  revolution,  residing  in  this  part  of 
the  country,  welcome  the  arrival  of  the  chief  magis 
trate  of  the-  union.  It  is  with  increased  satisfaction 
we  recognise  in  him  one  of  the  number  engaged  with 
us  in  the  arduous  struggle  of  establishing  the  inde 
pendence  of  the  country. 

"  We  have  lived,  sir,  to  see  the  fruits  of  our  toils 
and  struggles  amply  realised  in  the  happiness  and 
prosperity  of  our  country;  and,  sir,  we  have  the 
fullest  confidence,  that  under  your  administration, 
they  will  be  handed  down  to  our  posterity  unimpair 
ed.  Like  your  immortal  predecessor,  the  illustrious 
Washington,  may  you  be  honoured  by  the  present 
and  future  generations,  and  finally  receive  the  rich 
reward  with  him  in  realms  above." 

The  President  received  this  address  with  expres 
sions  of  cordiality  and  esteem,  highly  cheering  and 
satisfactory  to  the  veteran  soldiers,  in  several  of 
whom,  he  recognised  his  former  associates  in  arms, 
in  the  revolutionary  war. 

Upon  the  arrival  of  the  procession  at  the  village, 
a  national  salute  was  fired  from  Fort  Pike,  and 
when  the  President  had  ascended  the  piazza  of 
the  hotel,  to  which  he  was  conducted  by  captain 
King,  chief  marshal  of  the  day,  the  following  ad 
dress  was  read  to  him  by  the  chairman  of  the  com 
mittee. 

«  Sir — The  committee  appointed  in  behalf  of  their 
fellow  citizens,  would  congratulate  the  President  of 
the  United  States  upon  his  arrival  at  this  place.  It 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  193 

is  with  pleasure  unfeigned  and  unalloyed,  that  all 
descriptions  of  men  behold  among  them  for  the  first 
time  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  union. 

"  They  look  upon  it  as  a  pledge  that  their  interests 
will  not  be  forgotten,  as  the  situation  of  this  section 
of  the  country  will  be  personally  known  to  him  on 
whom  the  American  people  have  placed  their  high 
est  confidence,  and  bestowed  their  greatest  honours. 
And  that,  although  situated  on  the  frontiers  re 
mote  from  the  centre  of  the  government,  they  hope 
to  live  in  the  recollection  of  him  whose  happi 
ness  it  is  to  preside  over  its  high  and  exalted  des 
tinies. 

"  It  is  gratifying  to  learn,  that  the  object  of  your 
arduous  tour  is  to  ascertain  whatever  will  contribute 
to  the  interest,  improvement,  or  defence  of  the  coun 
try.  It  therefore  becomes  our  duty  to  express  the 
solicitude  of  our  constituents,  as  it  regards  their  pe 
culiar  situation.  Twice  have  they  been  placed  on 
the  very  verge  of  ruin,  by  successive  attacks  in  the 
late  war.  Had  works  of  defence  been  erected  in 
commanding  situations,  such  attempts  would  proba 
bly  never  have  been  made ;  at  all  events  would  have 
been  repulsed  with  greater  certainty  and  with  less 
expense  of  blood.  And  it  will  still  be  observa 
ble,  that  additional  fortifications  would  be  requi 
site  to  render  effectual  a  resistance  against  supe 
rior  numbers.  Yon  fields,  which  have  been  dyed 
with  the  blood  of  colonels  Backus  and  Mills,  can 
attest  how  much  works  of  defence  have  there  been 
needed. 

fc 


194  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"  We  trust  the  period  is  far  distant  when  hostili 
ties,  if  ever,  shall  again  occur;  but  as  this  may  not 
be  the  fact,  prudential  reasons  would  seem  to  indi 
cate  the  utility  of  a  great  military  road,  in  the  most 
proper  direction,  for  uniting  the  resources  of  the 
country  with  this  chief  military  and  naval  depot  of 
the  northern  frontier. 

"  The  extensive  public,  and  the  increasing  amount 
of  private  property,  together  with  a  personal  anxiety, 
we  trust  will  he  accepted  as  an  apology  for  specify 
ing  that  which  doubtless  has  already  occurred  to 
your  observation.  There  are  objects  of  minor  im 
portance,  yet  interesting  to  our  fellow  citizens,  which 
we  hope  will  attract  the  notice,  and  not  be  deemed 
unworthy  the  consideration,  of  the  executive  of  this 
free  and  enlightened  republic. 

"We  cannot  conclude,  without  expressing  our  con 
viction,  that  he  who  has  for  nearly  half  a  century  de 
voted  his  services  to  his  country,  wrill  render  this 
tour  as  eminently  useful  as  it  has  been  gratifying  to 
the  American  people.  We  deem  it  a  happiness  to 
embrace  this  opportunity  of  personally  expressing 
our  highest  regard  for  your  private  character  and 
public  worth. 

«  E.  CAMP, 

"  I.  BUTTERFIELD, 

«  F.  WHITE, 

«  Committee.'* 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  195 

The  President,  amid  a  large  concourse  of  citizens, 
made  a  reply  to  the  following  purport : 

That  he  could  not  express  the  feelings  that  were 
excited  by  the  respect  and  attention  paid  him  on  his 
entrance  into  this  place.  That  in  pursuing  the  ob 
jects  of  his  tour,  Sacket's  Harbour  naturally  had 
claims  to  his  attention.  That  he  had  been  much 
gratified  in  passing  through  a  country  prosperous 
and  fertile;  containing  a  population  numerous,  hap 
py,  and  brave.  That  he  saw  in  the  people  an  attach 
ment  to  their  government,  and  did  not  consider  the 
marks  of  attention  exhibited  as  rendered  to  him  per 
sonally,  but  as  honouring  the  institutions  of  our 
country;  and  that  he  rejoiced  to  witness  such  unani 
mity  of  his  fellow  citizens,  viewing  it  as  a  presage 
of  their  future  happiness  and  glory ;  and  concluded 
by  observing,  that  he  was  apprized  of  the  import 
ance  of  this  place  as  a  military  and  naval  position  \ 
that  it  had  received  considerable  attention  from  gov 
ernment,  and  would  continue  so  to  do,  to  the  full 
extent,  that  its  security  and  consequence  required. 

Commodore  Woolsey,  the  commanding  officer  of 
the  naval  station  upon  Lake  Ontario,  then  presented 
the  officers  of  the  navy  attached  to  his  command,  to 
the  chief  magistrate,  who  accompanied  them  to  the 
naval  arsenal,  and  the  120  gun  ship,  which  was  left 
unfinished  at  the  conclusion  of  the  war.  The  Pre 
sident  afterwards  inspected  the  extensive  range  of 
stone  barracks,  and  reviewed  the  troops  stationed 
at  the  Harbour ;  and  spent  the  evening  at  his  quar- 


196  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

ters  in  the  village,  which  was  brilliantly  and  taste 
fully  illuminated. 

Sacket's  Harbour  is,  perhaps,  the  most  impor 
tant  military  position  along  the  lakes,  and  immense 
sums  of  money  had  been  appropriated,  during  the 
war,  to  provide  for  the  erection  there  of  strong  works, 
and  extensive  block-houses  and  barracks.  The  en 
tire  fleet  of  Ontario  was  built  at  this  place,  and 
whilst  its  equipments  were  preparing,  the  presence 
of  an  efficient  force  was  constantly  required  to  op 
pose  the  menaces  of  the  enemy,  who  adopted  va 
rious  schemes  to  destroy  that  necessary,  important, 
and  valuable  depot.  The  resistance  made  in  the 
month  of  May,  1813,  by  a  small  force  under  gene 
ral  Brown,  against  the  most  determined  and  vigo 
rous  attempt  of  the  united  fleet  and  army,  under  sir 
George  Prevost  and  sir  James  Yeo,  was  forcibly 
brought  to  the  recollection  of  the  President,  at  the 
moment  of  his  examination  of  the  several  batteries. 
The  departure  of  general  Dearborn's  army  for  Fort 
George,  left  Sacket's  Harbour,  at  that  period,  in  ra 
ther  a  defenceless  state,  and,  in  the  event  of  an  at 
tack,  the  militia  of  the  neighbourhood  were  chiefly 
relied  on  to  repulse  the  assailants.  Before  these 
were  entirely  collected,  or  the  hasty  levies  com 
pleted,  the  enemy  appeared  in  force,  and,  after  seve 
ral  unsuccessful  attempts,  at  length  landed  at  the 
most  accessible  point,  and  marched  promptly  upon 
the  village.  A  severe  and  close  engagement,  in 
which  many  officers  of  high  rank  were  killed, 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  197 

resulted  in  the  overthrow  of  the  British  arms, 
and  the  expulsion  of  all  the  troops  which  sir 
George  had  landed.  Such,  indeed,  was  the  preci 
pitation  of  his  flight  to  his  barges,  made  in  conse 
quence  of  a  stratagem,  adopted  hy  general  Brown, 
to  deceive  him  in  his  estimate  of  the  American  force, 
that  he  left  the  dead  and  wounded  bodies  of  a  num 
ber  of  his  men,  and  several  of  his  most  distinguished 
officers,  upon  the  field. 

After  being  thus  compelled  to  relinquish  the  fur 
ther  prosecution  of  an  expedition,  having  for  its  pri 
mary  object,  the  capture  and  destruction  of  a  post, 
the  permanent  possession  of  which,  only,  could  give 
to  the  Americans  any  hope  of  a  superiority  on  the 
lake  Ontario ;  after  having  succeeded  in  his  enter 
prise,  in  a  degree  which  scarcely  deserves  to  be 
termed  partial;  and  after  being  obliged,  by  the  pre 
dominance  of  his  apprehension,  over  his  bravery  and 
foresight,  to  retire  from  the  assault,  and  precipi 
tately  to  leave  his  dead  and  wounded  to  the  mercy 
of  his  enemy ;  sir  G.Prevost  issued  an  official  account 
to  the  people  of  Canada,  and  forwarded  despatches 
to  his  government,  in  each  of  which  he  laid  claim  to 
a  "brilliant  and  unparalleled  victory."  He  alleged, 
too,  that  he  had  reluctantly  ordered  his  troops  to 
leave  a  beaten  enemy,  whom  he  had  driven  before  him 
upwards  of  three  hours,  because  the  co-operation  of 
the  fleet  and  army  could  not  be  effected.  Had  the 
result  of  the  expedition  against  Sacket's  Harbour, 
been  of  that  character,  to  warrant  this  extraordi 
nary  claim  of  its  conductor,  its  effects  would  have 


198  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

been  long  and  deplorably  felt  by  the  American  gov 
ernment.  Immense  quantities  of  naval  and  military 
stores,  which  had  been  from  time  to  time  collected 
at  that  depot;  the  frames  and  timbers  which  had 
been  prepared  for  the  construction  of  vessels  of  war; 
and  the  rigging  and  armament  which  had  been  for 
warded  there  for  their  final  equipment ;  as  well  as 
all  the  army  clothing,  camp  equipage,  provisions, 
ammunition,  and  implements  of  war,  which  had  been 
previously  captured  from  the  enemy;  would  have 
fallen  into  his  hands.  The  destruction  of  the  bat 
teries,  the  large  ship  then  on  the  stocks,  the  exten 
sive  cantonments,  and  the  public  arsenal,  would  have- 
retarded  the  building  of  another  naval  force ;  and 
that  which  was  already  on  the  lake  in  separate  de 
tachments,  could  have  been  intercepted  in  its  attempt 
to  return,  and  might  have  been  captured  in  detail. 
The  whole  energies  of  the  American  government, 
added  to  their  most  vigorous  and  unwearied  efforts, 
might  never  again  have  attained  any  prospect  of  an 
ascendency  on  the  lake.  As  it  proved,  however, 
all  these  impending  evils  were  averted,  and  the  plans 
of  the  commanding  officer,  and  the  determined  re 
sistance  of  the  majority  of  his  troops,  converted 
that  event  into  a  splendid  victory,  which  would, 
otherwise,  have  been  an  irretrievable  disaster. 

These  facts,  and  their  consequent  results,  were 
sufficiently  apparent  to  the  President;  and  his  per 
sonal  examination  of  the  harbour,  tended  to  facilir 
tate  the  application  of  the  means  necessary  to  i^s  bet 
ter  protection.  The  aid  of  a  skilful  and  distinguish- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  199 

ed  engineer,  major  Totten,  who  had  been  ordered 
to  join  his  excellency's  suite,  at  Burlington,  in  Ver 
mont,  enabled  him  to  ascertain  with  precision  at 
what  particular  points  the  defences  should  be  en 
larged;  a  circumstance  of  which,  as  he  was  con 
vinced  of  the  vast  importance  of  the  post,  it  is  more 
than  presumable  he  availed  himself. 


900  A  NARRATIVE  OF 


CHAPTER  X. 


The  President  sails  through  Lake  Erie — arrives  at 
Detroit — Address  of  the  Trustees  of  that  City — 
he  arrives  at  the  town  of  Delaware,  Ohio — Colum 
bus  and  Worthington — Reply  to  an  Address  there — 
proceeds  through  CentrevUle  to  Chillicothe — Address 
of  the  Corporation — the  President  passes  through 
Tarleton,  Lancaster,  and  other  towns,  to  Zanes- 
-ville — thence  to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania — pursues 
his  route  by  Hagerstown  and  Fredericktown,  Ma 
ryland — returns  to  the  City  of  Washington — Ad 
dress  of  the  Mayor  and  Citizens. 

THE  United  States  brig  Jones,  attended  by  her 
consort  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  was  in  waiting  at  the 
Harbour,  and  on  Wednesday  the  6th  (August)  the 
President  embarked  on  board  that  vessel,  under  a 
national  salute,  and  sailed  thence  for  Fort  Niagara, 
situated  on  the  lake,  at  the  mouth  of  Niagara  river. 
Under  the  orders  of  major-general  Brown,  who  still 
accompanied  him,  he  was  received  at  the  garrison 
on  Friday,  the  8th,  with  the  usual  salute,  and  after 
inspecting  the  works  there,  which  he  did  without 
loss  of  time,  he  proceeded  up  the  Niagara,  and  ar 
rived  in  the  evening  at  the  honourable  judge  For- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  £01 

ter's,  at  the  Falls,  where  he  lodged  that  night.  The 
shortness  of  his  stay  at  the  fort,  which  did  not  ex 
ceed  an  hour,  and  his  extreme  desire,  as  well  as  the 
necessity  of  facilitating  his  tour,  which  he  observed 
had  already  heen  long  protracted,  obliged  him  to 
forego  the  attentions,  proffered  by  the  officers  of  the 
British  garrison  of  Fort  George,  situated  nearly  op 
posite  Fort  Niagara. 

A  committee  of  citizens  from  the  village  of  Buf- 
faloe,  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie,  repaired  to  Black 
Rock,  on  Saturday,  the  9th,  received  the  Presi 
dent  and  his  suite,  at  that  place,  and  escorted  him 
through  the  principal  street  to  Landon's  tavern. 
Here  he  was  addressed  by  the  committee  in  behalf 
of  the  citizens,  to  whom  he  returned  a  short  verbal 
reply.  Having  dined  in  company  with  the  principal 
citizens,  at  this  tavern,  he  took  passage  in  the  after 
noon,  on  board  the  United  States  schooner  Porcu 
pine,  lieut.  com.  Packet,  accompanied  by  the  United 
States  schooner  Ghent,  lieut.  com.  Champlin,  both 
under  commodore  Dexter,  for  the  port  of  Detroit, 
upon  the  river  of  that  name,  north  of  Lake  Erie. 
After  three  days  passage  through  the  lake,  his  excel 
lency,  and  suite,  were  landed  at  Spring  Wells,  at 
which  place  he  was  met  by  major-general  M'Comb 
and  the  citizens  of  Detroit,  who  formed  an  escort 
and  conducted  him  to  the  town.  On  Thursday  the 
14th,  he  inspected  the  fort,  which  was  surrendered 
to  the  British  arms,  on  the  16th  of  August,  1812,  by 
general  Hull,  then  of  the  United  States  army.  A 
grand  military  review  of  the  troops  under  general 


202  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

M'Comb,  stationed  at  Detroit,  took  place  on  the 
same  day.  The  President  mounted  on  an  Arabian 
horse,  and  followed  by  his  suite,  by  general  Cass, 
governor  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  and  his  suite, 
and  by  maj.  gen.  Brown  and  his  suite,  passed  in  re 
view  down  the  line,  which  made  an  unusually  brilliant 
appearance.  In  the  presence  of  his  excellency  and 
all  the  troops,  governor  Cass,  who  had  been  selected 
to  perform  that  duty  by  the  legislature  of  New  York, 
presented  general  M'Comb  with  a  superb  sword, 
which  they  had  voted  to  him,  as  a  reward  for  his 
successful  defence  of  the  town  of  Plattsburg,  and 
which  had  just  been  transmitted  to  Detroit,  by  go 
vernor  Clinton.  Governor  Cass  accompanied  this 
presentation,  with  a  very  handsome  and  appropriate 
address. 

In  the  evening  a  splendid  ball  was  given  to  the 
President,  at  Mr.  Woodworth's,  at  which  all  the 
principal  ladies  and  gentlemen,  and  the  officers  of 
the  several  corps,  attended.  During  his  stay  at 
Detroit,  the  trustees  of  the  city,  availed  themselves 
of  an  interval  of  the  President's  relaxation  from 
duty,  and  by  their  chairman,  Mr.  Edwards,  deli 
vered  him  a  short  address,  to  which  he  made  the 
following  answer: 

66  Fellow  Citizens — In  the  tour  in  which  I  am 
engaged,  according  to  its  original  plan,  this  section 
of  our  inland  frontier  formed  an  essential  part,  and 
I  am  happy  to  have  been  able,  so  far  to  have  exe 
cuted  it.  This  is  the  utmost  western  limit  to  which 
I  propose  to  extend  it.  I  shall  proceed  thence  along 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  203 

the  frontier,  and  through  the  state  of  Ohio,  without 
delay,  to  the  seat  of  the  general  government. 

"  Aware  of  your  exposed  situation,  every  circum 
stance  material  to  your  defence,  in  the  possible,  but 
I  hope  remote,  contingency,  of  future  wars,  has  a 
just  claim  to,  and  will  receive  my  attention.  For 
the  information  which  you  may  be  able  to  give  me, 
on  a  subject  of  such  high  importance,  I  shall  be  very 
thankful. 

"  In  all  the  advantages  of  your  situation,  in  which 
you  participate  so  largely ;  in  those  which  a  kind 
providence  has  extended  to  our  happy  country;  I  as 
your  fellow  citizen,  take  a  deep  interest.  Any  in 
conveniences  of  which  you  may  complain,  you  must 
be  sensible  cannot  be  of  long  duration.  Your  esta 
blishment  was,  of  necessity,  originally  colonial,  but 
on  a  new  principle.  A  parental  hand  cherishes  you 
in  your  infancy;  your  commencement  is  founded  in 
rights,  not  of  a  personal  nature  only,  but  of  incipient 
sovereignty,  never  to  be  shaken.  The  national  go 
vernment  promotes  your  growth,  and  in  so  doing, 
from  the  peculiar  felicity  of  our  system,  promotes  the 
growth  and  strength  of  the  nation.  At  a  period,  and 
on  conditions  just  and  reasonable,  you  will  become 
a  member  of  the  union,  with  all  the  rights  of  the  ori 
ginal  states.  In  the  interim,  the  legislative  body, 
composed  of  the  representatives  of  a  free  people, 
your  brethren,  will  always  be  ready  to  extend  a  just 
and  proper  remedy  to  any  inconvenience  to  which 
you  may  be  exposed. 

"  I  partake  with  you,  the  most  heartfelt  satisfac- 


204  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

tion,  at  the  present  general  prosperity  of  our  coim- 
try,  and  concur  in  sentiment  respecting  the  causes 
to  which  it  may  be  justly  ascribed.  By  the  termi 
nation  of  party  divisions,  and  the  union  of  all  our 
citizens  in  the  support  of  our  republican  govern 
ment  and  institutions,  of  which  I  entertain,  as  I 
trust,  a  well  founded  hope,  I  anticipate  a  long  con 
tinuance  of  all  the  blessings  which  we  now  enjoy. 

"  For  your  kind  reception,  I  offer  you  my  grate 
ful  acknowledgments. 

"  JAMES  MONROE. 
"  To  A.  Edwards,  esq.  Chairman  of  the  Board  of 

Trustees,  City  of  Detroit." 

With  the  inspection  of  the  garrison,  the  harbour, 
and  the  public  works  at  Detroit,  this  tour  of  obser 
vation  was  completed ;  the  President  having  visited 
and  examined  all  the  forts  and  military  depots,  and 
reviewed  the  troops  at  all  the  stations  from  Wash 
ington  to  Maine,  and  thence  along  the  inland  fron 
tier  to  this  post.  The  fort  and  stockade  upon  the 
island  of  Michilimackinac  being  at  too  great  a  dis 
tance  (two  hundred  and  forty-nine  miles)  to  allow 
him  sufficient  time  to  repair  to  that  place,  and  to 
return  thence  within  the  period  at  which  his  public 
duties  would  imperiously  require  his  presence  at  the 
seat  of  government  his  journey  onward  was  neces 
sarily  terminated  at  Detroit.  The  great  objects  for 
which  it  had  been  undertaken,  however,  were  suffi 
ciently  accomplished ;  and  he  relied  upon  the  ability 
of  the  commanding  officer  of  the  north-western  dis- 


i'HE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR,  205 

Uict,  to  report  to  him  the  condition  of  the  garrison 
at  that  island,  and  of  the  measures  necessary  at  any 
time  to  he  adopted  for  its  increase  and  enlarge 
ment. 

Accordingly,  after  making  a  short  delay  in  the 
Michigan  territory,  he  set  out  on  his  return  to 
Washington,  accompanied  hy  governor  Cass,  and 
generals  Brown  and  M'Comh;  and  passing  through 
the  Indian  lands,  from  the  several  tribes  of  which 
he  received  great  attention,  he  arrived  on  the  23d  of 
August,  at  the  town  of  Delaware,  situated  on  Whet 
stone  river,  in  the  state  of  Ohio.  A  committee  of 
arrangement  conducted  him  into  the  town,  where  he 
remained  until  Monday  the  25th.  On  that  day  he 
proceeded  to  Columbus,  the  metropolis  of  Ohio,  and 
was  received  with  great  cordiality  by  the  governor 
of  the  state. 

At  Worth ington  the  citizens  manifested  their 
pleasure  at  his  appearance  among  them ;  and  there, 
also,  (as  at  Delaware  and  Columbus)  he  was  pre 
sented  with  an  address ;  in  the  reply  to  which,  he 
developed  the  motives  by  which  he  was  influenced, 
in  choosing  the  route  through  this  state,  on  his  way 
to  the  capital.  He  informed  them,  that  he  had  ex 
perienced  great  pleasure  and  satisfaction  in  visiting 
Ohio,  in  meeting  the  citizens  of  Worthington,  whom 
he  thanked  for  their  kind  expressions  and  distin 
guished  marks  of  respect.  He  said,  that  they  over 
rated  his  abilities,  and  had  given  him  too  much 
praise  for  his  performances.  He  had  indeed  acted 
a  part,  though  but  a  minor  part,  with  the  great  and 


200  A  NAKRATIVB  OF 

distinguished  men  who  led  in  the  glorious  conflict 
which  achieved  our  independence,  as  also  in  later 
events  of  some  national  importance.  He  took  not 
to  himself,  however,  the  merit  which  a  generous  pub 
lic  had  accorded  to  him,  but  felt  a  consciousness  of 
having  exerted  his  best  powers  in  the  public  service ; 
and  that  those  exertions  would  be  continued  and 
repeated  as  the  exigencies  of  the  country  should  re 
quire. 

If  his  devotedness  and  zeal  in  the  public  cause 
had  met  the  approbation  of  his  fellow  citizens,  as 
they  had  done  him  the  honour  to  express,  he  trusted 
that  he  should  still  receive  their  support  and  confi 
dence,  and  that  his  future  conduct  would  not  disap 
point  their  expectations ;  that  he  had  a  strong  desire 
to  ascertain  and  know  by  actual  view,  the  situation 
of  the  northern  border  of  Ohio ;  that  through  the 
goodness  of  divine  Providence,  he  had  been  enabled 
to  fulfil  his  purposes  thus  far;  that  he  came  to  Ohio 
with  the  most  favourable  impression,  respecting  its 
soil,  climate,  situation  and  people;  he  had  consider 
ed  the  country  as  being  excellent,  and  the  citizens 
intelligent,  brave,  and  attached  to  our  national  in 
stitutions  ;  and  that  he  considered  this  state,  which, 
as  such,  a  few  years  since,  had  no  existence,  as  be 
ing  now  an  important  member  of  the  union,  yielding 
a  great  accession  at  present,  and  in  prospect  more, 
to  the  resources,  strength  and  talents  of  the  nation. 
That  as  the  first  and  present  population  had  emi 
grated  principally  from  older  states,  who  with  their 
children  now  spreading  round  them  are  of  the  same 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  20T 

habits,  manners  and  interests  with  them,  and  being 
so  central  and  happily  situated  for  intercourse  with 
the  various  sections  of  our  extensive  territory,  this 
state  must  be  viewed  with  the  happiest  anticipations 
as  it  respects  the  continuation  of  the  union,  and  the 
future  destinies  of  this  republic.  He  closed  by  re 
questing  the  chairman  and  committee  to  accept,  for 
themselves  and  the  people  of  the  town  and  its  vici 
nity,  assurances  of  his  best  wishes  for  their  happi 
ness  and  prosperity. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  the  26th,  he  reached  the 
boundary  line  between  the  counties  of  Franklin  and 
Pickaway,  and  lodged  at  Holmes's  tavern.  At  eight 
o'clock  on  the  following  morning,  he  was  conducted 
to  Circleville,  the  county  town  of  Pickaway,  by  a 
deputation  of  citizens  and  a  troop  of  horse,  and 
thence  to  the  boundary  of  the  county  of  Ross.  There 
he  was  met  by  a  deputation  from  the  corporation  of 
Chillicothe,  and  a  number  of  citizens  on  horseback, 
who  escorted  him  to  the  residence  of  governor  \Vor- 
thington,  at  Prospect  Hill,  in  whose  mansion  he 
lodged.  On  the  28th,  he  entered  Chillicothe,  pre 
ceded  by  the  same  escort,  and  followed  by  a  train 
of  citizens  from  the  neighbouring  counties.  At  Wat 
son's  hotel,  the  mayor  and  corporation  presented 
him  the  address  which  follows,  and  received  an  ap 
propriate  but  verbal  reply. 

"  To  the  President  of 'the  United  States. 

"  Sir — The  citizens  of  Chillicothe  have  directed 
me  to  present  you  their  most  cordial  welcome. 


208  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

"  The  progress  of  the  arts  and  sciences  has  not 
reached  the  height  in  our  state  which  they  possess  in 
some  of  our  sister  states ;  but  our  love  of  country,  and 
devotedness  to  her  welfare,  is  not  surpassed  by  any. 
The  plain  reception  of  our  chief  magistrate  is  conso 
nant,  we  hope,  with  his  republican  principles.  We  are 
convinced  that  nothing  can  add  more  to  the  strong 
cement  of  the  union,  than  the  presence  and  the  re 
cognition  of  its  moving  power.  The  interchange 
of  citizens,  and  the  exchange  of  civilities  and  attach 
ments  between  the  parts,  and  the  whole  connected 
in  the  person  of  the  President,  form  a  barrier  to 
civil  feuds,  and  a  strong  hold  in  times  of  adversity 
and  foreign  aggression. 

"  In  this  country,  which  when  a  wilderness  at 
tracted  your  early  and  persevering  attention,  you 
may  now  trace  the  footpath  of  industry  and  the  high 
way  of  enterprise ;  and  in  your  passage  through  it, 
the  expressions  of  public  opinion  are  the  guarantees 
of  its  ready  compliance  with  any  duties  that  may  be 
required. 

*•  \Ve  can  only  reiterate  the  hope  and  confidence 
which  we  possess,  that  the  splendid  commencement 
of  your  presidential  career  will  be  exceeded  only  by 
the  mild  and  beneficial  influence  it  will  produce  on 
our  political  relations  after  your  retirement. 

«  Accept  our  wishes,  that  when  you  have  com 
pleted  your  course,  the  evening  of  your  life  may  be 
as  serene  and  happy,  as  its  morning  was  eventful. 
«  LEVIN  BELT, 

"  (Mayor  of  Chillicothe,)/0r  the  Corporation  ami 
Citizens." 


\ 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  209 

When  the  ceremony  of  congratulating  the  Presi- 
dent  was  over,  he  sat  down,  in  company  with  gover 
nor  Cass,  generals  Brown  and  M'Comb,  and  about 
one  hundred  gentlemen,  to  a  dinner,  at  which  go 
vernor  Worthington  presided.  In  the  course  of  the 
afternoon,  he  took  a  survey  of  the  town,  and  lodged 
that  night  at  the  hotel.  From  Chillicothe,  he  pro 
ceeded,  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the  29th,  to 
wards  Lancaster,  the  seat  of  justice  in  Fairfield 
county.  He  was  attended  as  far  as  Tarleton  by  the 
committee  of  arrangement,  the  escort,  the  governor, 
and  the  mayor  and  council. 

The  citizens  of  Zanesville,  and  Putnam,  situated 
opposite  each  other,  on  the  east  and  west  sides  of 
Muskingum  river,  were  already  apprised  of  the  con 
templated  entrance  of  the  President  into  these  towns, 
in  the  evening  of  Saturday,  the  31st  inst.  and  had 
appointed  a  committee  to  make  suitable  arrange 
ments  for  his  reception.  By  this  committee,  the 
members  of  which  were  introduced  to  him  by  gover 
nor  Cass,  and  about  fifty  gentlemen  on  horseback, 
he  was  met  at  twelve  miles  distance,  and  thence  es 
corted  to  Putnam,  where  he  was  received  with  eigh 
teen  guns.  Zanesville  and  Putnam  are  connected 
with  each  other  by  two  bridges,  over  the  lower 
one  of  which  the  President  crossed,  and  was  con 
ducted  through  crowds  of  citizens  to  Dugan's  hotel. 
Mr.  Chambers,  of  the  committee,  presented  him  the 
congratulations  of  the  citizens,  after  which  the  com 
pany  were  entertained  with  a  sumptuous  banquet. 
On  Sunday  his  excellency  breakfasted  with  Dr. 
s  2 


210  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

Horace  Read,  attended  public  worship  at  the  New 
Presbyterian  Meeting-house,  at  which  the  Reverend 
Mr.  Culbertson  officiated,  and  in  the  afternoon  he 
dined  with  general  Vanhorn,  and  closed  the  day  at 
Dr.  Hamm's.  W.  Silliman,  esq.  was  honoured 
with  his  company  to  breakfast,  on  the  morning 
of  Monday,  the  1st  of  September,  and  the  Presi 
dent  departed  from  Zanesville,  and  resuming  his 
journey,  proceeded  through  other  small  towns  in 
that  state,  and  reached  the  shore  opposite  Pittsburg, 
(Penn.)  on  Friday  morning,  the  5th  inst.  A  few 
miles  from  the  ferry,  he  was  met  by  a  committee  of 
arrangement,  appointed  for  that  purpose  by  the  cor 
poration  and  the  citizens,  and  was  conducted  on 
board  an  elegant  barge,  appropriately  decorated, 
and  rowed  by  four  sea  captains.  His  appearance  on 
the  opposite  height,  was  announced  to  the  inhabi 
tants  by  an  immediate  discharge  of  nineteen  guns. 
Upon  landing  at  the  foot  of  Market  street,  he  was 
received  with  the  customary  honours  by  captain  Ir- 
win's  volunteer  light  infantry  company,  the  City 
Guards.  A  coach  with  four  horses  had  been  pro 
vided  to  conduct  him  to  his  quarters,  but  as  the  civil 
authorities  as  well  as  the  citizens,  who  intended 
forming  a  procession,  were  on  foot,  the  President 
declined  this  attention,  and  preferred  walking  also. 
He  was  then  conducted  through  Market  street, 
Fourth  street,  Wood  street,  and  First  street,  to  the 
house  of  William  Wilkins,  esq.  who  politely  offered 
the  use  of  it  to  the  councils,  for  the  President's  ac- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  2H 

conimodation.    The  procession  moved  in  the  follow 
ing  order. 

City  Guards. 

The  officers  of  the  Pennsylvania  militia,  in  uniform. 

The  deputy-marshal  of  the  district  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the 

high  sheriff  and  coroner,  with  their  staves. 

The  mayor  and  recorder  of  the  city. 

The  committe  of  arrangement. 
THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

The  suite  of  the  President,  and  officers  of  the  United  States 
army. 

Generals  Brown  and  M'Comb. 

The  members  of  the  select  council,  preceded  by  their  clerk, 

The  members  of  the  common  council,  preceded  by  their  clerk. 

Officers  of  the  revolution. 

The  clergy. 

The  representative  in  Congress. 

The  principal  and  professors  in  the  Academy. 

Judges  of  the  court  and  gentlemen  of  the  bar. 

Aldermen  of  the  city. 

The  high  constable  and  peace  officers  of  the  city,  with  then 
staves. 

A  cavalcade  of  citizens, 

The  President  having  entered  the  house  of  Mr. 
\Vilkins,  received  the  congratulations  and  respects 
of  the  citizens,  the  officers  of  the  guard,  and  others. 
On  the  following  morning,  Saturday,  the  munici 
pality  of  the  city  waited  upon  him,  and  James  Ross, 


£12  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

esquire,  president  of  the  committee  of  arrangement, 
delivered  Mm  the  following  address : 

"  To  James  Monroe,  President  of  the  United  States. 

((  Mr.  President — The  select  and  common  coun 
cils,  the  mayor,  aldermen  and  citizens  of  Pittsburg, 
have  instructed  me  to  offer  you  their  congratulations 
and  most  cordial  welcome  on  your  arrival  in  this  city. 

"  We  rejoice  at  seeing  a  President  of  the  United 
States  for  the  first  time  upon  the  western  waters; 
and  the  interest  we  feel  in  this  visit  is  greatly  en 
hanced  by  the  lively  recollection  that  we  see  in  his 
person,  the  early,  uniform,  active  friend  of  the  wes 
tern  country,  who  was  finally  successful  in  securing 
to  us  the  invaluable  right  of  free  communication 
with  the  ocean  through  the  Mississippi;  an  attain 
ment  second  in  magnitude  only  to  national  indepen 
dence  itself,  and  inseparably  connected  with  it. 

"  We  anticipate  the  happiest  results  from  your 
personal  examination  of  the  frontier,  as  well  as  of 
the  interior  of  this  portion  of  the  union ; — your  con 
fidence  in  the  resources  of  the  great  republic  over 
which  you  preside,  will  be  strengthened  by  observ 
ing  our  unexampled  increase  of  population,  our  ha 
bitual  industry,  our  progress  in  agriculture,  manu 
factures  and  the  useful  arts,  and  the  immense  region 
of  fertility  which  yet  remains  a  public  stock. 

*•'  While  the  people  witness  your  paternal  atten 
tion  to  their  local  advantages  and  wants,  as  well  as 
to  their  external  safety,  and  see  the  public  good 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  213 

anxiously  sought  out  and  cherished  in  the  west,  as 
well  as  the  east,  without  distinction  of  persons  or 
places,  we  are  perfectly  assured,  that  their  affec 
tions  as  well  as  their  duty,  will  every  where  unite 
them  in  support  of  the  measures  you  may  find  most 
conducive  to  the  public  interest  during  your  admi 
nistration. 

"  \Ve  ardently  wish  you  the  continuance  of  long 
life  and  health  to  pursue  the  course  you  have  so 
auspiciously  begun,  and  that  at  the  end  of  your  ca 
reer  you  may  receive  and  enjoy  the  richest  reward 
of  a  patriot's  toils, — NATIONAL  GRATITUDE  for 
having  augmented  NATIONAL  HAPPINESS. 

•'  With  great  pleasure  I  avail  myself  of  this  occa 
sion  to  renew  to  you  the  assurances  of  my  own  very 
high  consideration  and  respect.'* 

REPLY. 

*"*'  To  James  Ross,  esq.  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
deputed  by  the  City  of  Pittsburg. 

"  Sir — Returning  from  a  tour  of  a  large  portion 
of  our  Atlantic  and  inland  frontiers,  which  I  under 
took  from  a  sense  of  duty,  I  am  happy  to  pass 
through  this  town,  and  have  been  much  gratified 
by  the  friendly  reception  which  has  been  given  me 
by  the  select  and  common  councils,  and  by  the 
may  or,  aldermen  and  citizens  of  Pittsburg. 

"  Knowing  no  difference  between  the  just  claims 
of  one  portion  of  our  country  and  another,  I  consi- 


214  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

der  it  my  duty  to  attend  equally  to  the  rights  and 
interests  of  the  whole.  It  is  on  this  principle  that 
I  undertook  this  tour,  and  that  I  shall  extend  it 
hereafter,  should  I  be  blessed  with  health,  to  other 
parts  of  our  union. 

"  Having  from  very  early  life,  in  every  station 
I  have  held,  used  my  best  efforts  to  obtain  for  my 
fellow  citizens,  the  free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi, 
no  one  could  be  more  gratified  than  I  was  at  its  final 
accomplishment.  The  favourable  opinion  which 
you  kindly  express  of  my  services,  in  support  of 
that  great  right,  is  peculiarly  gratifying  to  me ;  I 
owe  it,  however,  to  candour  to  state,  that  I  have 
no  other  merit  than  that  of  an  honest  zeal  exerted 
in  its  support,  in  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  the 
government  under  which  I  acted,  and  in  harmony 
with  my  venerable  associate  in  the  treaty  which 
secured  it. 

"  I  have  seen  with  great  interest  in  this  tour,  the 
most  satisfactory  proofs  of  the  rapid  growth  of  this 
portion  of  our  union,  of  the  industry  of  its  inhabi 
tants,  and  of  their  progress  in  agriculture,  manufac 
tures,  and  the  useful  arts.  I  have  derived  great  sa 
tisfaction  also,  from  the  opportunity  it  has  afforded 
me,  of  forming  a  more  just  estimate,  than  I  could 
otherwise  have  obtained,  of  the  vast  amount,  great 
fertility,  and  value  of  public  lands,  yet  to  be  dis 
posed  of. 

"  Devoted  to  the  principles  of  our  free  republican 
constitution;  incapable  of  discriminating  between 
the  rights  and  interests  of  the  eastern  and  western 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  £15 

sections  of  our  union ;  and  having  no  friendships  to 
serve,  or  resentments  to  gratify,  at  the  expense  of 
the  public  welfare,  I  shall  steadily  pursue  these  ob 
jects,  by  such  a  course  of  impartial  and  upright  po 
licy,  as  shall  appear,  according  to  my  best  judg 
ment,  most  likely  to  secure  them.  Acting  on  these 
principles,  I  shall  always  calculate  with  confidence, 
on  the  support  of  my  fellow  citizens,  in  such  manner 
as  may  be  found  conducive  to  the  public  welfare. 

"  Permit  me,  sir,  to  offer  through  you  to  the  se 
lect  and  common  councils,  the  mayor,  aldermen  and 
citizens  of  Pittsburg,  my  best  wishes  for  their 
welfare,  and  to  request  you  to  be  assured  of  my 
great  consideration  and  respect  for  you  personally. 

"JAMES  MONROE. " 

In  the  course  of  the  same  day  the  President  went 
through  an  inspection  of  the  United  States  arsenal,  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  town,  attended  by  a  train  of  mili 
tary  officers.  The  various  departments  of  that  esta 
blishment,  its  internal  economy,  and  the  condition  of 
the  arms  and  accoutrements,  received  his  attentive 
and  strict  investigation. 

On  Sunday  he  employed  himself  in  religious  du 
ties  ;  attending  the  Episcopal  church  in  the  forenoon, 
and  the  Presbyterian  meeting-house  in  the  evening. 
In  the  intermediate  period,  between  the  services,  he 
made  some  private  visits,  and  gave  audience  to  seve 
ral  citizens  of  respectability  at  his  apartments. 

The  city  of  Pittsburg  is,  perhaps,  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  inland  towns  in  the  union.  It  is  very 


•21(5  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

pleasantly  situated,  on  a  point  of  land,  at  the  con 
fluence  of  the  Alleghany  and  Monongahela  rivers, 
and  contains  a  number  of  extensive  manufacturing' 
establishments,  of  the  first  importance.  It  has  a 
rolling  and  slitting  mill ;  a  grist  mill ;  a  paper  mill, 
and  cotton,  woollen,  and  wire  manufactories;  all 
conducted  by  steam.  There  are  also  live  glass 
houses,  a  cannon  foundery,  an  air  furnace,  and  three 
lead  manufactories.  To  visit,  and  examine  these 
several  establishments,  the  President  remained  in 
Pittsburg  during  Monday  the  8th,  and  on  Tuesday 
the  9th,  he  separated  from  majors-general  Brown 
and  M'Comb,  who  returned  to  their  respective  com 
mands,  and  continued  his  route  towards  Maryland. 

On  no  former  occasion  had  this  town  exhibited  a 
spectacle  so  lively  and  interesting,  as  that  which 
took  place  on  the  arrival  of  the  President.  The 
shore  of  the  Monongahela  was  lined  with  an  im 
mense  concourse,  consisting  of  the  population  of  the 
city,  and  a  number  of  strangers,  and  visitors  from 
the  surrounding  country.  The  chief  magistrate  of 
a  great  and  prosperous  nation,  was  greeted  in  the 
streets  of  a  city,  the  ground  of  which  had  been  the 
scene  of  savage  broils,  at  the  commencement  of  his 
public  career. 

From  the  8th,  until  the  15th,  the  President  was 
facilitating  his  progress  towards  the  capital,  through 
Brownsville,  Greensburg,  across  the  Alleghany 
mountains,  and  through  a  number  of  towns  and 
hamlets  in  the  south-western  portion  of  Pennsyl 
vania. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  217 

It  should  have  been  previously  observed,  that  at 
the  President's  second  entrance  into  this  state,  dur 
ing  his  tour,  he  made  some  delay  at  Canonsbuig,  a 
town  lying  a  short  distance  west  of  Pittsbiirg,  and 
containing  a  flourishing  university,  denominated 
Jefferson  College.  The  principal  of  this  institution 
having  introduced  the  pupils  to  the  chief  magistrate 
on  that  occasion,  tendered  an  address  in  the  name  of 
the  corporation  and  the  college,  and  received  a  hand" 
some  and  appropriate  answer  from  his  excellency. 
These  documents  possess  so  many  interesting  fea 
tures,  that  notwithstanding  they  do  not  occupy  the 
place  which  had  been  originally  assigned  for  them, 
yet  it  would  be  improper  to  neglect  the  opportunity 
of  now  presenting  them  to  the  public. 

«  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

<(  Sir — The  faculty  of  Jefferson  College,  together 
with  the  citizens  of  this  borough,  rejoice  in  the  op 
portunity  of  presenting  their  respectful  salutations 
to  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation.  We,  with  our 
fellow  citizens  in  other  sections  of  the  union,  view 
your  tour  through  the  different  states,  as  a  favour 
able  indication  of  your  devoted  attachment  to  the 
real  interests  of  the  people  over  whom  you  preside. 
Under  your  auspices,  we  anticipate  the  rising  splen 
dour  of  our  literary  institutions;  and  of  all  those  es 
tablishments  which  contribute  to  the  independence, 
wealth,  and  general  prosperity  of  our  country. 

"  We  therefore  hail  you,  sir,  upon  your  arrival 

T 


218  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

at  the  original  seat  of  literature  in  the  west,  with 
sentiments  of  the  greatest  cordiality  and  respect. 
This  was  the  consecrated  spot  which  first  gave  birth 
to  science  in  this  western  region.  This  institution, 
as  a  college,  was  founded  in  honour  of  your  illus 
trious  predecessor,  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  1802,  and  has 
since  been  the  principal  nursery  of  literature  in  the 
western  country. 

"  Besides  the  common  elementary  course  of  lite 
rature,  it  has  been  the  constant  aim  in  this  institu 
tion  to  inspire  the  minds  of  youth  with  those  prin 
ciples  of  piety  and  virtue,  with  those  ennobling  sen 
timents,  and  that  sincere  love  of  truth  and  duty, 
which  are  the  greatest  ornaments  of  human  charac 
ter,  and  which  are  best  calculated  to  form  the  man 
and  the  citizen. 

"  It  has  been  the  object  of  this  seminary,  accord 
ing  to  the  most  enlightened  views  of  human  nature, 
and  the  interests  of  society,  that  we  could  obtain,  to 
preserve  in  close  alliance,  the  interests  of  religion 
and  learning,  of  piety  and  virtue,  as  essential  to  the 
energy  and  effect  of  our  political  institutions,  and  as 
greatly  subservient  to  public  order,  harmony,  and 
liberty.  We  have  ever  viewed  sound  morality  and 
intelligence  as  the  great  supports  of  free  government, 
and  the  principal  guarantee  of  our  rights  and  privi 
leges,  both  civil  and  religious. 

"  In  this  representation  of  our  views  of  the  gene 
ral  object  of  public  education,  and  the  influence  of 
sound  morality  and  science  in  supporting  our  repub 
lican  institutions,  we  are  persuaded,  sir,  they  accord 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  219 

with  your  own  sentiments,  and  refer  to  objects  which 
you  judge  worthy  of  high  consideration. 

"  We  present  to  your  view,  sir,  that  portion  of 
the  youth  «>f  our  country,  which  now  attend  this  in 
stitution  ;  and  we  are  happy  that  we  can  bear  testi 
mony  of  their  regard  to  the  interesting  objects  of 
literary  pursuit,  and  to  those  attainments  on  which 
their  future  usefulness  depends.  We,  indeed,  ex 
hibit  an  emblem  of  the  simplicity  of  republican  man 
ners,  which  to  a  man  of  your  discernment  and  intel 
ligence,  cannot  operate  as  a  disparagement,  provided 
we  endeavour  to  cherish  those  generous  affections, 
and  aim  at  those  solid  acquirements,  which  shall 
bind  us  to  our  country,  and  render  us  instrumental 
in  promoting  its  interests,  and  strengthening  and 
protecting  its  precious  institutions. 

"  Permit  us,  with  our  fellow  citizens,  to  congratu 
late  you,  sir,  upon  the  auspicious  circumstances 
which  attend  the  commencement  of  your  adminis 
tration;  circumstances  which  cannot  fail  to  unite 
you  and  the  people  together,  and  impress  the  public 
mind  with  the  belief  of  your  devoted  attachment  to 
the  best  interests  of  our  common  country.  Accept 
our  earnest  wishes  and  prayers  for  its  prosperous 
course  and  happy  issue ;  and  indulge  us  with  ex 
pressing  the  desire,  that  when  you  are  engaged  in 
the  appropriate  functions  of  your  high  station,  you 
may  enjoy  the  favour  and  blessing  of  heaven,  and 
that  it  may  be  our  privilege,  by  fidelity  and  perse 
verance  in  our  respective  spheres,  under  the  smiles 
of  the  same  beneficent  Providence,  to  co-operate  in 


220  A  NARRATIVE  OP 

the  work  of  patriotism,  by  diffusing  the  light  of 
knowledge,  and  the  saving  influence  of  religion  and 
morals. 

•*  CRAIG  RITCHIE, 

"  WM.  M<MlLLAN, 

"  WM.  GIBSON, 
"  SAMUEL  MILLER, 
"  JAMES  P.  MILLER. 

"  Canonsburg1,  Sept.  5,  1817." 

To  this  the  President  replied,  in  substance,  and  as 
nearly  as  can  be  remembered,  in  language,  as  fol 
lows  : 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  and  this  committee,  for  the 
respect  and  friendship  with  which  I  have  been  re 
ceived  on  my  arrival  here.  It  is  with  sincere  grati 
fication  that  I  receive  your  address.  Be  assured, 
sir,  that  I  am  deeply  affected  with  it. 

"  When  I  first  meditated  this  tour,  which  was 
some  time  before  I  left  the  seat  of  government,  I 
thought  it  would  be  practicable,  and  it  was  my  de 
sire,  to  perform  it  nearly  in  the  character  of  a  pri 
vate  citizen.  But,  finding  my  fellow  citizens  wished 
otherwise,  and  every  where  met  me  with  expressions 
of  respect  and  attachment,  I  yielded  to  their  wishes, 
and  have  met  them  with  the  same  feelings.  In  these 
expressions  of  public  regard,  which  my  humble  ser 
vices  coidd  not  inspire,  I  see  the  fixed  attachment 
of  the  people  to  the  principles  of  our  free  govern 
ment. 

"  I  am  happy  in  meeting  with  this  faculty  and 


•      THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  221 

these  young  men.  The  views  of  the  nature  and  ob 
ject  of  public  education  contained  in  your  address, 
agree  with  my  own.  During  my  tour  through  an 
extensive  continent,,  I  have  met  with  many  similar 
institutions,  all  entertaining  nearly  the  same  senti 
ments  respecting  the  instruction  of  youth.  And  I 
ask  you,  sir,  in  what  more  noble  principles  could 
they  he  instructed,  than  those  of  virtue  and  our  holy 
religion  ?  These  are  the  most  solid  basis  on  which 
our  free  government  can  rest,  and  that  they  should 
be  instilled  into  the  rising  youth  of  our  country,  to 
whom  its  destinies  are  soon  to  be  consigned,  is  of 
high  importance.  The  aged  pass  away  in  rapid  suc 
cession,  and  give  place  to  the  younger.  Those  who 
are  now  the  hope  of  their  country  will  soon  become 
its  pride.  Educated  in  these  principles,  we  can 
with  confidence  repose  our  free  government  and 
the  interests  of  our  beloved  country  in  their  care, 
assured  that  they  will  preserve,  protect,  and  cherish 
them,  and  will  fill  the  place  of  those  who  have  gone 
before  them,  with  equal  honour  and  advantage.  I 
was  led  into  this  subject,  on  which  I  have  dwelt,  be 
cause  it  is  pleasing  to  me,  by  the  observations  con 
tained  in  your  address. 

"  With  respect  to  the  objects  of  my  tour,  you  do 
me  justice.  You  all  know  how  necessary  it  is,  that 
a  person  in  my  station  should  be  acquainted  with 
the  circumstances  and  situation  of  the  country  over 
which  he  presides.  To  acquire  this  knowledge,  I 
have  visited  our  marine  coasts  and  inland  frontiers, 
parts  most  exposed  to  invasion.  Having  accomplish- 

T   2 


A  NARRATIVE  OF 

cd  the  objects  of  my  tour,  to  the  full  extent  1  at  first 
contemplated,  to  me,  sir,  it  is  peculiarly  gratifying, 
now  on  my  return  to  the  seat  of  government,  to  he 
hailed  with  the  sentiments  of  approbation  contained 
in  your  address. 

"  To  me  it  is  a  source  of  high  satisfaction,  that  in 
all  the  places  which  I  have  visited  in  this  tour,  I 
have  found  the  people  so  generally  united,  and  so 
strongly  attached  to  the  principles  of  our  excellent 
constitution.  In  the  union  of  the  people,  our  govern 
ment  is  sufficiently  strong,  and  on  this  union  I  con 
fidently  rely.  Our  government  has  proved  its 
strength.  We  have  terminated,  with  honour,  a  war 
carried  on  against  a  powerful  nation,  and  that  na 
tion  peculiarly  favoured  by  fortunate  circumstances. 
Our  army  gained  glory,  our  navy  acquired  equal 
renown,  and  all  classes  of  citizens,  as  opportunity 
offered,  and  where  the  pressure  was  greatest,  acquit 
ted  themselves  with  honour. 

"  This  nation  is  now  respectable  for  numbers,  and 
more  respectable  as  an  enlightened  people.  That  its 
future  happiness  and  glory  may  answer  to  its  pre 
sent  prosperity,  is  my  sincere  desire. 

"  Be  assured,  sir,  that  I  shall  always  take  a  deep 
interest  in  the  prosperity  of  this  institution.  It  is 
known  at  a  distance  among  scientific  men.  You  have 
chosen  for  it  a  name  not  unknown  abroad  to  science, 
and  which  to  me  is  peculiarly  interesting.  I  avail 
myself  of  this  opportunity  of  bearing  my  testimony 
to  the  talents,  learning,  and  great  public  services  of 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  033 

that  venerable   statesman  and  philosopher,  whose 
name  you  have  prefixed  to  your  institution. 

"  Accept,  gentlemen,  my  grateful  acknowledg 
ments  for  the  kindness  with  which  I  have  been  re 
ceived,  and  my  sincere  wishes  for  your  individual 
happiness  and  prosperity. 

"  JAMES  MONROE.'* 

On  the  15th  (September),  when  his  excellency  had 
travelled  within  a  few  hours  journey  of  Hagerstown. 
in  Maryland,  colonel  Williams  despatched  an  ex 
press  to  the  inhabitants,  acquainting  them  with  his 
approach. 

This  information  was  disseminated  amongst  the 
citizens  with  rapidity,  and  a  cavalcade,  preceded 
by  the  committee  of  arrangement,  was  in  a  short 
time  advancing  on  the  road  to  meet  him ;  the  pro 
cession  reached  the  suburbs,  on  its  return  with  the 
President,  under  a  federal  discharge,  and  he  passed 
on  to  his  quarters  amid  repeated  cheers  from  the 
people.  After  a  stay  of  about  two  hours,  during 
which  he  received  the  visits  of  many  respectable 
citizens,  he  again  ascended  his  carriage,  and  pur 
sued  the  direction  to  Fountain  Rock,  the  scat  of  ge 
neral  Ringold.  He  passed  the  night  at  the  mansion 
of  that  gentleman. 

In  the  course  of  the  following  day  he  left  Foun 
tain  Rock,  and  proceeding  through  Fredericktown, 
was  there  greeted  with  the  same  unabated  cordiali 
ty,  and  on  the  afternoon  of  the  17th  of  September, 
lie  entered  the  district  of  Columbia. 


224  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

The  citizens  of  the  district  being  apprised  of  the 
President's  intention  to  enter  the  capital  on  that 
day,  made  immediate  preparations  to  welcome  his 
return  to  his  home  in  a  manner  which  should  mani 
fest  the  attachment  of  his  immediate  friends  arid 
neighbours.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
he  was  received,  a  few  miles  above  Georgetown,  by 
the  mayor  and  a  deputation  of  the  citizens.  On  ar 
riving  at  the  line  of  the  district,  a  numerous  caval 
cade  of  citizens,  on  horseback  and  in  carriages, 
formed  a  procession  and  attended  him  to  George 
town;  at  the  boundary  of  which  he  was  honoured 
with  a  national  salute,  from  a  detachment  of  the 
Georgetown  artillery.  Captain  Thornton's  fine 
troop  of  cavalry,  from  Alexandria,  arrived  at  that 
moment,  and  took  its  place  at  the  head  of  the  es 
cort,  and  a  volunteer  band  of  music,  at  the  same 
time,  joined  the  procession.  The  cavalcade  then 
passed  through  High  street  and  Bridge  street,  at 
the  intersection  of  which  the  national  banners  were 
displayed,  and,  crossing  Rock  Creek,  at  the  ford 
near  Williams  and  Carroll's  mill,  defiled  thence  in 
to  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  in  the  city  of  Washing 
ton,  and  proceeded  to  the  President's  house,  near 
which  he  was  received  by  the  United  States  ma 
rine  corps,  under  major  Miller,  with  the  honours 
due  to  his  station. 

Having  reached  his  residence,  the  President  alight 
ed,  amid  a  number  of  his  most  distinguished  fellow 
citizens,  who  awaited  his  arrival,  and  in  whose  be- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  225 

half  general  J.  P.  Van  Ness  delivered  to  him  a  ver 
bal  congratulation,  in  which  he  spoke  of  the  attach 
ment  of  the  citizens  of  the  district  to  the  chief  ma 
gistrate,  and  referred  to  the  various  services  ren 
dered  to  his  country  by  that  officer. 

The  President  replied  to  this  address ;  and  advert 
ing  to  the  objects  and  circumstances  of  his  tour, 
declared  the  strong  sense  he  felt  of  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  been  received  by  his  fellow  country 
men  ;  spoke  of  the  general  prosperity  every  where 
manifest,  which  had  combined  with  the  necessary 
labours  of  his  tour  the  most  pleasing  enjoyments  \ 
and  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  the  many  evidences 
given  him,  during  his  progress,  of  national  feeling, 
and  attachment  to  the  true  principles  of  the  consti 
tution.  The  President  concluded  his  brief,  but  im 
pressive  address,  by  repeating  his  sense  of  the  warm 
reception  given  him  on  his  return,  his  ardent  wish 
es  for  the  prosperity  of  the  district,  and  his  sincere 
satisfaction  at  the  rapidity  of  the  recovery  of  this 
city  from  the  misfortunes  it  had  not  long  since  ex 
perienced. 

During  the  whole  course  of  these  movements,  sa 
lutes  were  fired  from  all  the  public  works  in  and 
about  the  capital;  and  the  scene  was  altogether 
cheering,  novel,  and  interesting.  The  President 
had  no  sooner  entered  his  dwelling,  than  the  caval 
cade  dispersed,  and  the  citizens  returned  to  their 
homes;  leaving  him  to  the  enjoyment  of  that  repose 
which  his  long  and  fatiguing  tour  rendered  abso 
lutely  necessary. 


226  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

At  twelve  o'clock,  on  Thursday  the  18th,  agree 
ably  to  previous  arrangements,  Benjamin  G.  Orr, 
esq.  mayor  of  the  city  of  Washington,  and  the  mem 
bers  of  the  boards  of  aldermen  and  common  council 
waited  on  Mr.  Monroe,  and  addressed  him  upon  his 
safe  return  to  the  seat  of  government. 

66  Mr.  President— Your  fellow  citizens  and  neigh 
bours  cannot  receive  you  amongst  them,  after  the 
interesting  and  useful  tour  you  have  taken,  without 
using  the  occasion  to  demonstrate  their  high  respect 
and  attachment. 

"  The  people,  sir,  in  their  undivided  and  unre 
strained  honours  to  their  chief  magistrate,  have  not 
only  done  justice  to  merit,  but  have  done  more:  they 
have  strengthened  their  government  by  spontaneous 
manifestations  of  their  happiness  and  unanimity; 
they  have  developed  the  highly  interesting  fact,  that 
that  system  is  best  which  interferes  least  with  the 
rights  inherent  in  every  rational  creature,  and  which 
secures  the  blessings  of  civilization  by  the  moral 
sense  of  the  nation,  more  than  by  the  coercive  arm 
of  the  civil  and  military  power. 

"  In  the  tour  which  you  have  just  finished,  we  have 
sympathised  with  you  in  your  fatigues,  and  exulted 
with  you  in  the  extraordinary  demonstrations  of  the 
nation's  love,  which,  though  sometimes  oppressive, 
are  always  grateful.  Despotic  rulers  obtain  the 
adulation  of  slaves,  whom,  by  their  vices,  they  have 
made  miserable;  but  you,  the  choice  of  a  free  and 
enlightened  people,  receive  assurances  of  approba- 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  TOUR.  %$* 

tion  and  esteem  from  those  you  largely  participate 
in  rendering  happy. 

"  The  pleasure  which  your  return  affords  us,  is 
augmented  by  the  consideration  that  we  have  now 
the  opportunity  of  addressing  you  in  the  dwelling 
which  the  nation  has  once  more  prepared  for  the  re 
ception  and  accommodation  of  the  chief  magistrate 
of  the  United  States.  In  these  sentiments  the  mayor, 
board  of  aldermen  and  board  of  common  council, 
cordially  unite  with  the  citizens  of  Wasliington,  in 
tendering  you  the  welcome  of  friendship  in  the  lan 
guage  of  candour,  and  in  the  fulness  of  affection  and 
confidence." 

The  President  answered : 

"  I  cannot  express  in  sufficiently  strong  terms,  the 
gratification  which  I  feel  in  returning  to  the  seat  of 
government,  after  the  long  and  very  interesting  tour 
in  which  I  have  been  engaged :  and  I  beg  you  to  be 
assured,  that  nothing  can  contribute  more  to  dissi 
pate  the  fatigues  to  which  I  have  been  exposed,  than 
the  very  cordial  reception  which  has  been  given  me 
by  my  fellow  citizens  and  neighbours,  of  the  city 
and  district. 

66 1  shall  always  look  back  to  the  important  inci 
dents  of  my  late  tour,  with  peculiar  satisfaction.  I 
flatter  myself,  that  I  have  derived  from  it,  informa 
tion  which  will  be  very  useful  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  the  high  trust  confided  to  me;  and  in  other 
respects,  it  has  afforded  me  the  highest  gratification. 


22S  A  NARRATIVE  OF 

In  all  that  portion  of  our  country  through  which  I 
have  passed,  I  have  seen,  with  delight,  proofs  the 
most  conclusive,  of  the  devotion  of  our  fellow  citi 
zens  to  the  principles  of  our  free  republican  govern 
ment,  and  to  our  happy  union.  The  spontaneous 
and  independent  manner  in  which  these  sentiments 
were  declared,  by  the  great  body  of  the  people,  with 
other  marked  circumstances  attending  them,  satis 
fied  me,  that  they  came  from  the  heart.  United  firm 
ly  in  the  support  of  these  great,  these  vital  interests, 
we  may  fairly  presume,  that  all  difficulty  on  minor 
questions,  will  disappear.  In  returning  to  the  city 
of  Washington,  I  rejoice  to  find  the  public  building 
intended  for  the  accommodation  of  the  chief  magis 
trate,  in  a  state  to  admit  within  it  this  friendly  in 
terview  with  you. 

"JAMES  MONROE." 

After  an  absence  of  three  months  and  sixteen 
days,  in  which  time  he  made  a  circuit  of  nearly 
three  thousand  miles,  the  President  returned  to  the 
seat  of  his  official  duties,  with  an  increased  know 
ledge  of  the  state  of  the  country,  of  the  character, 
the  interest,  and  the  sentiments  of  his  constituents, 
and  of  what  measures  should  be  suggested  to  the 
councils  of  the  nation  to  promote  their  happiness  in 
a  still  more  eminent  degree,  and  to  render  their 
invaluable  privileges 


|TJNI7BRSIT7| 
APPENDIX. 


A  VISIT  to  Fort  Washington,  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  metropolis,  had  been  contemplated  by  the  Pre 
sident,  subsequently  to  his  return  from  the  north 
western  frontier.  The  accumulation  of  official  busi 
ness  during  his  absence,  however,  delayed  the  exe 
cution  of  this  design,  until  the  29th  of  November. 
On  that  day  he  crossed  over  from  the  capital  to 
Alexandria,  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  place,  being 
apprised  of  the  circumstance,  had  a  military  detach 
ment  in  waiting  to  attend  him  on  his  entrance.  Cap 
tain  Thornton's  troop  of  cavalry,  under  the  tempo 
rary  command  of  lieutenant  Simms,  and  the  staff 
officers  of  the  Alexandria  brigade  of  militia  per 
formed  that  duty.  At  the  moment  of  his  passing 
the  Washington  bridge,  captain  Griffith's  company 
of  artillery  commenced  a  salute,  which  was  conti 
nued  until  he  reached  his  quarters  at  the  City  Hotel. 
The  mayor  and  corporation  were  there  in  attend 
ance,  to  tender  their  respects  to  the  chief  magis 
trate,  in  the  address  which  follows. 

«  To  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

«  Sir — The  further  prosecution  of  the  important 
object  of  your  late  tour  has  brought  you  to  our  town. 


h  APPENDIX. 

It  is  with  pleasure  that  the  mayor  and  common 
council  of  Alexandria,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and 
their  fellow  citizens,  offer  to  you  their  cordial  and 
respectful  salutations  upon  your  arrival  among  us. 
fn  you,  sir,  we  behold  not  only  the  chief  of  the  na 
tion,  but  the  executive  magistrate  of  this  district. 
Confiding  in  the  purity  of  your  intentions,  and  be 
lieving  that  the  powers  vested  in  you  by  the  consti 
tution,  will  he  used  with  a  due  regard  to  the  welfare 
of  the  people,  whose  dearest  interests  are  entrusted 
to  your  paternal  care,  we  avail  ourselves  of  this  oc 
casion  to  express  our  sincere  hope,  that  the  auspi 
cious  circumstances  which  attended  the  commence 
ment  of  your  administration,  may,  with  the  blessings 
of  our  heavenly  Father,  under  your  direction,  unite 
to  promote  the  solid  and  permanent  good  of  our  be 
loved  country.  We  feel  every  assurance  that  the 
peculiar  interest  and  welfare  of  the  district  of  Co 
lumbia  will  receive  your  attentive  consideration,  and 
that  such  measures  will  be  recommended  by  you  to 
congress,  as  are,  in  your  opinion,  best  calculated  to 
promote  the  prosperity  of  the  district.  With  these 
sentiments  we  unite  in  our  ardent  wishes  for  your 
present  and  future  happiness,  and  that  it  may  please 
the  supreme  Governor  of  the  world  so  to  guide  you, 
that  the  course  of  your  administration  may  entitle 
you  to  the  gratitude  and  affection  of  your  fellow  ci 
tizens,  and  the  respect  of  future  generations." 

To  which  the  President  was  pleased  to  make  the 
following  verbal  reply : 

That  he  received  with  pleasure  the  kind  attention 


APPENDIX.  ill 

of  tlie  town  of  Alexandria ;  that  from  the  circum 
stance  of  having  known  the  town  from  his  early 
youth,  and  entertaining  a  friendship  for  many  of  its 
inhabitants,  the  marks  of  kindness  he  now  received 
could  not  fail  to  be  agreeable  to  him :  that  the  gene 
ral  interest  and  defence  of  the  nation  had  been  the 
object  of  his  late  tour ;  and,  in  the  further  prosecu 
tion  of  that  object,  his  present  visit  was  here,  and  to 
the  neighbouring  fort,  on  wiiich  the  safety  of  the 
town  seemed  materially  to  depend ;  that  he  consider 
ed  the  prosperity  of  the  district,  from  having  been 
made  the  seat  of  the  general  government,  as  becom 
ing  a  subject  of  national  concern,  and  that  he  felt 
every  disposition  to  promote  its  interests,  as  far  as 
he  was  enabled  by  the  important  situation  to  which 
his  country  had  done  him  the  honour  to  call  him. 

Generals  Swift  and  Porter,  and  several  other  dis 
tinguished  officers,  then  conducted  the  President  to 
a  handsome  barge,  in  which  the  company  were  con 
veyed  to  the  fort.  After  a  strict  examination  of  the 
state  of  the  garrison  and  wrorks,  and  after  having 
consulted  with  the  military  commanders  on  the 
modes  of  improvement  which  it  might  be  proper  to 
adopt,  in  regard  to  that  station,  at  a  future  time,  the 
President  returned  to  Washington. 


The  following  description  of  the  ceremony  of  Pre 
sident  Monroe's  inauguration,  the  speech  which  he 


•iv  APPENDIX. 

pronounced  on  that  occasion,  and  his  first  message 
transmitted  to  the  two  branches  of  the  national  legis 
lature,  are  deemed  to  he  papers  so  interesting  in 
themselves,  as  developing  the  principles  and  the  pro 
bable  course  of  the  new  administration,  and  to  be. 
in  some  measure,  connected  with  the  narrative  of 
his  tour,  that  they  are  inserted  at  length  in  this 
appendix. 


THE  INAUGURATION. 

Under  the  auspices  of  a  delightful  day,  on  the  4th 
uf  March,  1817,  took  place  the  interesting  ceremony, 
attendant  on  the  entrance  of  the  president  elect  of 
1he  United  States,  upon  his  official  duties.  The  cere 
mony  and  the  spectacle  were  simple  but  animating 
and  impressive.  At  half  after  eleven  o'clock,  the 
President  and  Vice-president  elect,  left  the  private 
residence  of  Mr.  Monroe,  and,  attended  by  a  large 
ravalcade  of  citizens,  marshalled  by  the  gentlemen 
appointed  for  that  duty,  reached  the  congress  hall 
a  little  before  twelve.  Having  entered  the  senate 
chamber,  the  vice-president  took  the  chair,  when  the 
oath  of  office  was  administered  to  him,  and  he  de 
livered  an  appropriate  address  to  the  members. 

This  ceremony  having  ended,  the  Senate  adjourn 
ed,  and  the  President  and  Vice-president,  the  judges 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  the  Senate  generally,  the 
marshals,  &c.  attended  the  President  to  the  elevated 
portico  temporarily  erected  for  the  occasion,  where. 


APPENDIX.  v 

in  the  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  officers 
of  the  government,  foreign  officers,  strangers,  (la 
dies  as  well  as  gentlemen)  and  citizens,  the  Presi 
dent  rose  and  delivered  the  following 

SPEECH. 

"  I  should  he  destitute  of  feeling,  if  I  was  not 
deeply  affected  by  the  strong  proof  which  my  fellow 
citizens  have  given  me  of  their  confidence,  in  call 
ing  me  to  the  high  office,  whose  functions  I  am  about 
to  assume.  As  the  expression  of  their  good  opinion 
of  my  conduct  in  the  public  service,  I  derive  from 
it  a  gratification,  which  those  who  are  conscious  of 
having  done  all  that  they  could  to  merit  it,  can  alone 
feel.  My  sensibility  is  increased  by  a  just  estimate 
of  the  importance  of  the  trust,  and  of  the  nature  and 
extent  of  its  duties  ;  with  the  proper  discharge  of 
which,  the  highest  interests  of  a  great  and  free  people 
are  intimately  connected.  Conscious  of  my  own  de 
ficiency,  I  cannot  enter  on  these  duties  without  great 
anxiety  for  the  result.  From  a  just  responsibility  I 
will  never  shrink ;  calculating  with  confidence,  that 
in  my  best  efforts  to  promote  the  public  welfare,  my 
motives  will  always  be  duly  appreciated,  and  my 
conduct  be  viewed  with  that  candour  and  indulgence 
which  I  have  experienced  in  other  stations. 

"  In  commencing  the  duties  of  the  chief  executive 
office,  it  has  been  the  practice  of  the  distinguished 
men  who  have  gone  before  me,  to  explain  the  prin 
ciples  which  would  govern  them  in  their  respective 


vi  APPENDIX. 

administrations.  In  following  their  venerated  ex- 
ample,  my  attention  is  naturally  drawn  to  the  great 
causes  which  have  contributed,  in  a  principal  de 
gree,  to  produce  the  present  happy  condition  of  the 
United  States.  They  will  hest  explain  the  nature 
of  our  duties,  and  shed  much  light  on  the  policy 
which  ought  to  be  pursued  in  future. 

"  From  the  commencement  of  our  revolution  to 
the  present  day,  almost  forty  years  have  elapsed, 
and  from  the  establishment  of  this  constitution,  twen 
ty-eight.  Through  this  whole  term,  the  government 
has  been,  what  may  emphatically  be  called  self-gov 
ernment;  and  what  has  been  the  effect?  To  what 
ever  object  we  turn  our  attention,  whether  it  relates 
to  our  foreign  or  domestic  concerns,  we  find  abun 
dant  cause  to  felicitate  ourselves  in  the  excellence  of 
our  institutions.  During  a  period  fraught  with  diffi 
culties,  and  marked  by  very  extraordinary  events, 
the  United  States  have  flourished  beyond  example. 
Their  citizens  individually  have  been  happy,  and 
the  nation  prosperous. 

"  Under  this  constitution,  our  commerce  has  been 
wisely  regulated  with  foreign  nations,  and  between 
the  states;  new  states  have  been  admitted  into  our 
union ;  our  territory  has  been  enlarged,  by  fair  and 
honourable  treaty,  and  with  great  advantage  to  the 
original  states ;  the  states,  respectively,  protected  by 
the  national  government,  under  a  mild  parental  sys 
tem,  against  foreign  dangers,  and  enjoying  within 
their  separate  spheres,  by  a  wise  partition  of  power, 
a  just  proportion  of  the  sovereignty,  have  improved 


APPENDIX:.  vii 

their  police,  extended  their  settlements,  and  attained 
a  strength  and  maturity,  which  are  the  best  proofs 
of  wholesome  laws,  well  administered.  And  if  we 
look  to  the  condition  of  individuals,  what  a  proud 
spectacle  does  it  exhibit!  On  whom  has  oppression 
fallen  in  any  quarter  of  our  union  ?  Who  has  been 
deprived  of  any  right  of  person  or  property  ?  Who 
restrained  from  offering  his  vows,  in  the  mode  which 
he  prefers,  to  the  divine  Author  of  his  being?  It  is 
well  known,  that  all  these  blessings  have  been  en 
joyed  in  their  fullest  extent;  and  I  add,  with  peculiar 
satisfaction,  that  there  has  been  no  example  of  a 
capital  punishment  being  inflicted  on  any  one  for  the 
crime  of  high  treason. 

"  Some,  who  might  admit  the  competency  of  our 
government  to  these  beneficent  duties,  might  doubt 
it  in  trials  which  put  to  the  test  its  strength  and  effi 
ciency,  as  a  member  of  the  great  community  of  na 
tions.  Here,  too,  experience  has  afforded  us  the 
most  satisfactory  proof  in  its  favour.  Just  as  this 
constitution  was  put  into  action,  several  of  the  prin 
cipal  states  of  Europe  had  become  much  agitated, 
and  some  of  them  seriously  convulsed.  Destructive 
wars  ensued,  which  have,  of  late  only,  been  termi 
nated.  In  the  course  of  these  conflicts,  the  United 
States  received  great  injury  from  several  of  the  par 
ties.  It  was  their  interest  to  stand  aloof  from  the 
contest;  to  demand  justice  from  the  party  commit 
ting  the  injury;  and  to  cultivate  by  a  fair  and  ho 
nourable  conduct,  the  friendship  of  all.  War  be 
came,  at  length,  inevitable,  and  the  result  has  sh6wn» 


viii  APPENDIX. 

that  our  government  is  equal  to  that,  the  greatest  of 
trials,  under  the  most  unfavourable  circumstances. 
Of  the  virtue  of  the  people,  and  of  the  heroic  ex 
ploits  of  the  army,  the  navy,  and  the  militia,  I  need 
not  speak. 

"  Such,  then,  is  the  happy  government  under 
which  we  live ;  a  government  adequate  to  every  pur 
pose  for  which  the  social  compact  is  formed ;  a  go 
vernment  elective  in  all  its  branches,  under  which 
every  citizen  may,  by  his  merit,  obtain  the  highest 
trust  recognised  by  the  constitution ;  which  contains 
within  it  no  cause  of  discord ;  none  to  put  at  va 
riance  one  portion  of  the  community  with  another ; 
a  government  which  protects  every  citizen  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  his  rights,  and  is  able  to  protect 
the  nation  against  injustice  from  foreign  powers. 

"  OtKer  considerations  of  the  highest  importance 
admonish  us  to  cherish  our  union,  and  to  cling  to  the 
government  which  supports  it.  Fortunate  as  we 
are,  in  our  political  institutions,  we  have  not  been 
less  so  in  other  circumstances,  on  which  our  prospe 
rity  and  happiness  essentially  depend.  Situated 
within  the  temperate  zone,  and  extending  through 
many  degrees  of  latitude  along  the  Atlantic,  the 
United  States  enjoy  all  the  varieties  of  climate,  and 
every  production  incident  to  that  portion  of  the 
globe.  Penetrating,  internally,  to  the  great  lakes, 
and  beyond  the  sources  of  the  great  rivers  which 
communicate  through  our  whole  interior,  no  coun^ 
try  was  ever  happier  with  respect  to  its  domain. 
Blessed  too  with  a  fertile  soil,  our  produce  has  al- 


APPENDIX.  lx 

ways  been  very  abundant,  leaving,  even  in  years 
the  least  favourable,  a  surplus  for  the  wants  of  our 
fellow  men,  in  other  countries.  Such  is  our  peculiar 
felicity,  that  there  is  not  a  part  of  our  union  that  is 
not  particularly  interested  in  preserving  it.  The 
great  agricultural  interest  of  the  nation  prospers 
under  its  protection.  Local  interests  are  not  less 
fostered  by  it.  Our  fellow  citizens  of  the  north, 
engaged  in  navigation,  find  great  encouragement  in 
being  made  the  favoured  carriers  of  the  vast  produc 
tions  of  the  other  portions  of  the  United  States, 
while  the  inhabitants  of  these  are  amply  recom 
pensed,  in  their  turn,  by  the  nursery  for  seamen  and 
naval  force,  thus  formed  and  reared  up  for  the  sup 
port  of  our  common  rights.  Our  manufactures  find 
a  generous  encouragement  by  the  policy  which  pa 
tronizes  domestic  industry,  and  the  surplus  of  out 
produce,  a  steady  and  profitable  market  by  local 
wants,  in  less  favoured  parts,  at  home. 

66  Such,  then,  being  the  highly  favoured  condition 
of  our  country,  it  is  the  interest  of  every  citizen  to 
maintain  it.  What  are  the  dangers  which  menace 
us  ?  If  any  exist,  they  ought  to  be  ascertained  and 
guarded  against. 

"  In  explaining  my  sentiments  on  this  subject,  it 
may  be  asked,  what  raised  us  to  the  present  happy 
state?  How  did  we  accomplish  tbe  revolution?  How 
remedy  the  defects  of  the  first  instrument  our  union, 
by  infusing  into  the  national  government  sufficient 
power  for  national  purposes,  without  impairing  the 
just  rights  of  the  states,  or  affecting  those  of  indivK 


X  APPENDIX. 

duals?  How  sustain,  and  pass  with  glory  through 
the  late  war  ?  The  government  has  been  in  the  hands 
of  the  people.  To  the  people,  therefore,  and  to  the 
faithful  and  able  depositories  of  their  trust,  is  the 
credit  due.  Had  the  people  of  the  United  States 
been  educated  in  different  principles  $  had  they  been 
less  intelligent,  less  independent,  or  less  virtuous, 
can  it  be  believed,  that  we  should  have  maintained 
the  same  steady  and  consistent  career,  or  been  bless 
ed  with  the  same  success?  While,  then,  the  consti 
tuent  body  retains  its  present  sound  and  healthful 
state,  every  thing  will  be  safe.  They  will  choose 
competent  and  faithful  representatives  for  every  de 
partment.  It  is  only  when  the  people  become  igno 
rant  and  corrupt ;  when  they  degenerate  into  a  po 
pulace,  that  they  are  incapable  of  exercising  the 
sovereignty.  Usurpation  is  then  an  easy  attain 
ment,  and  an  usurper  soon  found.  The  people  them 
selves  become  the  willing  instruments  of  their  own 
debasement  and  ruin.  Let  us  then  look  to  the  great 
cause,  and  endeavour  to  preserve  it  in  full  force. 
Let  us,  by  all  wise  and  constitutional  measures,  pro 
mote  intelligence  among  the  people,  as  the  best 
means  of  preserving  our  liberties. 

"  Dangers  from  abroad  are  not  less  deserving  of 
attention.  Experiencing  the  fortune  of  other  na 
tions,  the  United  States  may  be  again  involved  in 
war,  and  it  may,  in  that  event,  be  the  object  of  the 
adverse  party  to  overset  our  government,  to  break 
our  union,  and  demolish  us  as  a  nation.  Our  dis 
tance  from  Europe,  and  the  just,  moderate,  and  pa^ 


APPENDIX.  x^ 

cific  policy  of  eur  government,  may  form  some  se 
curity  against  these  dangers,  but  they  ought  to  be 
anticipated  and  guarded  against.  Many  of  our  ci 
tizens  are  engaged  in  commerce  and  navigation,  and 
all  of  them  are  in  a  certain  degree  dependent  on 
their  prosperous  state.  Many  are  engaged  in  the 
fisheries.  These  interests  are  exposed  to  invasion 
in  the  wars  between  other  powers,  and  we  should 
disregard  the  faithful  admonition  of  experience,  if 
we  did  not  expect  it.  We  must  support  our  rights, 
or  lose  our  character,  and  with  it  perhaps  our  liber 
ties.  A  people  who  fail  to  do  it,  can  scarcely  be 
said  to  hold  a  place  among  independent  nations. 
National  honour  is  national  property  of  the  highest 
value.  The  sentiment  in  the  mind  of  every  citizen, 
is  national  strength.  It  ought  therefore  to  be  che 
rished. 

"  To  secure  us  against  these  dangers,  our  coast 
and  inland  frontiers  should  be  fortified,  our  army 
and  navy  regulated  upon  just  principles  as  to  the 
force  of  each,  be  kept  in  perfect  order,  and  our  mi 
litia  be  placed  on  the  best  practicable  footing.  To 
put  our  extensive  coast  in  such  a  state  of  defence, 
as  to  secure  our  cities  and  interior  from  invasion, 
will  be  attended  with  expense,  but  the  work  when 
finished  will  be  permanent,  and  it  is  fair  to  presume 
that  a  single  campaign  of  invasion,  by  a  naval  force 
superior  to  our  own,  aided  by  a  lew  thousand  land 
troops,  would  expose  us  to  greater  expense,  without 
taking  into  the  estimate  the  loss  of  property,  and 
distress  of  our  citizens,  than  would  be  sufficient  for 


xii  APPENDIX. 

this  great  work.  Our  land  and  naval  forces  should 
be  moderate,  but  adequate  to  the  necessary  pur 
poses.  The  former  to  garrison  and  preserve  our 
fortifications,  and  to  meet  the  first  invasions  of  a 
foreign  foe ;  and  while  constituting  the  elements  of 
a  greater  force,  to  preserve  the  science,  as  well  as 
all  the  necessary  implements  of  war,  in  a  state  to 
be  brought  into  activity  in  the  event  of  war.  The 
latter,  retained  within  the  limits  proper  in  a  state 
of  peace,  might  aid  in  maintaining  the  neutrality  of 
the  United  States  with  dignity,  in  the  wars  of  other 
powers,  and  in  saving  the  property  of  their  citizens 
from  spoliation.  In  time  of  war,  with  the  enlarge 
ment  of  which  the  great  naval  resources  of  the  coun 
try  render  it  susceptible,  and  which  should  be  duly 
fostered  in  time  of  peace,  it  would  contribute  essen 
tially,  both  as  an  auxiliary  of  defence,  and  as  a  pow 
erful  engine  of  annoyance,  to  diminish  the  calami 
ties  of  war,  and  to  bring  the  war  to  a  speedy  and 
honourable  termination. 

«  But  it  ought  always  to  be  held  prominently  in 
view,  that  the  safety  of  these  states,  and  of  every 
thing  dear  to  a  free  people,  must  depend  in  an  emi 
nent  degree  on  the  militia.  Invasions  may  be  made 
too  formidable  to  be  resisted  by  any  land  and  naval 
force,  which  it  would  comport,  either  with  the  prin 
ciples  of  our  government,  or  the  circumstances  of 
the  United  States,  to  maintain.  In  such  cases,  re 
course  must  be  had  to  the  great  body  of  the  people, 
and  in  a  manner  to  produce  the  best  effect.  It  is  of 
flie.  highest  importance,  therefore,  that  they  be  so 


APPENDIX.  xiii 

organized  and  trained  as  to  be  prepared  for  any 
emergency.  The  arrangement  should  be  such,  as 
to  put  at  the  command  of  the  government,  the  ar 
dent  patriotism  and  youthful  vigour  of  the  country. 
If  formed  on  equal  and  just  principles,  it  cannot  be 
oppressive.  It  is  the  crisis  which  makes  the  pres 
sure,  and  not  the  laws  which  provide  a  remedy  for 
it.  This  arrangement  should  be  formed  too  in  time 
of  peace,  to  be  better  prepared  for  war.  With  such 
an  organization,  of  such  a  people,  the  United  States 
have  nothing  to  dread  from  foreign  invasion.  At 
its  approach,  an  overwhelming  force  of  gallant  men 
might  always  be  put  in  motion. 

"  Other  interests,  of  high  importance,  will  claim 
attention,  among  which  the  improvement  of  our 
country  by  roads  and  canals,  proceeding  always 
with  a  constitutional  sanction,  holds  a  distinguished 
place.  By  thus  facilitating  the  intercourse  between 
the  states,  we  shall  add  much  to  the  convenience 
and  comfort  of  our  fellow  citizens ;  much  to  the  or 
nament  of  the  country;  and,  what  is  of  greater  im 
portance,  we  shall  shorten  distances,  and  by  making 
each  part  more  accessible  to  and  dependent  on  the 
other,  we  shall  bind  the  union  more  closely  together. 
Nature  has  done  so  much  for  us,  by  intersecting  the 
country  with  so  many  great  rivers,  bays  and  lakes, 
approaching  from  distant  points  so  near  to  each 
other,  that  the  inducement  to  complete  the  work 
seems  to  be  peculiarly  strong.  A  more  interesting 
spectacle  was  perhaps  never  seen  than  is  exhibited 
within  the  limits  of  the  United  States  $  a  territory 
6 


xiv  APPENDIX 

so  vast,  and  advantageously  situated,  containing  ob 
jects  so  grand,  so  useful,  so  happily  connected  in 
all  their  parts. 

"  Our  manufactures  will  likewise  require  the  sys 
tematic  and  fostering  care  of  the  government.  Pos 
sessing,  as  we  do,  all  the  raw  materials,  the  fruit  of 
our  own  soil  and  industry,  we  ought  not  to  depend, 
in  the  degree  we  have  done,  on  supplies  from  other 
countries.  While  we  are  thus  dependent,  the  sud 
den  event  of  war,  unsought  and  unexpected,  cannot 
fail  to  plunge  us  into  the  most  serious  difficulties.  It 
is  important  too,  that  the  capital  which  nourishes 
our  manufactures  should  he  domestic,  as  its  influence 
in  that  case,  instead  of  exhausting,  as  it  may  do  in 
foreign  hands,  would  he  felt  advantageously  on  agri 
culture,  and  every  other  branch  of  industry.  Equally 
important  is  it  to  provide  at  home  a  market  for  our 
raw  materials,  as,  by  extending  the  competition,  it 
will  enhance  the  price,  and  protect  the  cultivator 
against  the  casualties  incident  to  foreign  markets. 

"  With  the  Indian  tribes  it  is  our  duty  to  cultivate 
friendly  relations,  and  to  act  with  kindness  and  libe 
rality  in  all  our  transactions.  Equally  proper  is  it 
1o  persevere  in  our  efforts  to  extend  to  them  the  ad 
vantages  of  civilization. 

•'  The  great  amount  of  our  revenue,  and  the  flou 
rishing  state  of  the  treasury,  are  a  full  proof  of  the 
competency  of  the  national  resources,  for  any  emer 
gency,  as  they  are,  of  the  willingness  of  our  fellow 
citizens  to  bear  the  burdens  which  the  public  neces 
sities  require.  The  vast  amount  of  vacant  lands, 


APPENDIX.  XV 

the  value  of  which  daily  augments,  forms  an  addi 
tional  resource  of  great  extent  and  duration.  These 
resources,  besides  accomplishing  every  other  neces 
sary  purpose,  put  it  completely  in  the  power  of  the 
United  States  to  discharge  the  national  debt,  at  an 
early  period.  Peace  is  the  best  time  for  improve 
ment  and  preparation  of  every  kind ;  it  is  in  peace 
that  our  commerce  flourishes  most;  that  taxes  are 
most  easily  paid,  and  that  the  revenue  is  the  most 
productive. 

"  The  executive  is  charged  officially,  in  the  de 
partments  under  it,  with  the  disbursements  of  the 
public  money,  and  is  responsible  for  the  faithful  ap 
plication  of  it  to  the  purposes  for  which  it  is  raised. 
The  legislature  is  the  watchful  guardian  over  the 
public  purse.  It  is  its  duty  to  see,  that  the  disburse 
ment  has  been  honestly  made.  To  meet  the  requisite 
responsibility,  every  facility  should  be  afforded  to  the 
executive  to  enable  it  to  bring  the  public  agents,  en 
trusted  with  the  public  money,  strictly  and  promptly  to 
account.  Nothing  should  be  presumed  against  them; 
but  if,  with  the  requisite  facilities,  the  public  money 
is  suffered  to  lie,  long  and  uselessly,  in  their  hands, 
they  will  not  be  the  only  defaulters,  nor  will  the  de 
moralizing  effect  be  confined  to  them.  It  will  evince 
a  relaxation,  and  want  of  tone  in  the  administration, 
which  will  be  felt  by  the  whole  community.  I  shall 
do  all  that  I  can,  to  secure  economy  and  fidelity  in 
this  important  branch  of  the  administration,  and  I 
doubt  not,  that  the  legislature  N\  ill  perform  its  duty 


.\\i  APPENDIX. 

with  equal  zeal.  A  thorough  examination  should 
he  regularly  made,  and  I  will  promote  it. 

"  It  is  particularly  gratifying  to  me,  to  enter  on 
the  discharge  of  these  duties,  at  a  time  when  the 
United  States  are  blessed  with  peace.  It  is  a  state 
most  consistent  with  their  prosperity  and  happiness. 
It  will  he  my  sincere  desire  to  preserve  it,  so  far  as 
depends  on  the  executive,  on  just  principles,  with  all 
nations,  claiming  nothing  unreasonable  of  any,  and 
rendering  to  each  what  is  due. 

"  Equally  gratifying  is  it  to  witness  the  increased 
harmony  of  opinion,  which  pervades  our  union.  Dis 
cord  does  not  belong  to  our  system.  Union  is  re 
commended,  as  well  by  the  free  and  benign  princi 
ples  of  our  government,  extending  its  blessings  to 
every  individual,  as  by  the  other  eminent  advantages 
attending  it.  The  American  people  have  encoun 
tered  together  great  dangers,  and  sustained  severe 
trials  with  success.  They  constitute  one  great  fa 
mily,  with  a  common  interest.  Experience  has 
enlightened  us,  on  some  questions  of  essential  im 
portance  to  the  country.  The  progress  has  been 
slow,  dictated  by  a  just  reflection  and  faithful  regard 
to  every  interest  connected  with  it.  To  promote 
this  harmony,  in  accord  with  the  principles  of  our 
republican  government,  and  in  a  manner  to  give 
them  the  most  complete  effect,  and  to  advance  in  all 
other  respects  the  best  interests  of  our  union,  will 
be  the  object  of  my  constant  and  zealous  exertions. 

"Never  did  a  government  commence  under  aus 
pices  so  favourable,  nor  ever  was  success  so  com- 


APPENDIX  xvii 

pletc.  If  we  look  to  the  history  of  other  nations, 
ancient  or  modern,  we  find  no  example  of  a  growth 
so  rapid,  so  gigantic ;  of  a  people  so  prosperous  and 
happy.  In  contemplating  what  we  have  still  to  per 
form,  the  heart  of  every  citizen  must  expand  with 
joy,  when  he  reflects  how  near  our  government  has 
approached  to  perfection;  that  in  respect  to  it,  we 
have  no  essential  improvement  to  make ;  that  the 
great  ohject  is,  to  preserve  it  in  the  essential  princi 
ples  and  features  which  characterise  it,  and,  that 
that  is  to  he  done,  hy  preserving  the  virtue  and  en 
lightening  the  minds  of  the  people;  and,  as  a  secu 
rity  against  foreign  dangers,  to  adopt  such  arrange 
ments  as  are  indispensable  to  the  support  of  our 
independence,  our  rights  and  liberties.  If  we  per 
severe  in  the  career  in  which  we  have  advanced  so 
far,  and  in  the  path  already  traced,  wre  cannot  fail, 
under  the  favour  of  a  gracious  Providence,  to  attain 
the  high  destiny  which  seems  to  await  us. 

"  In  the  administration  of  the  illustrious  men  who 
have  preceded  me  in  this  high  station,  with  some  of 
whom  I  have  been  connected  by  the  closest  ties  from 
early  life,  examples  are  presented,  which  will  always 
be  found  highly  instructive  and  useful  to  their  suc 
cessors.  From  these  I  shall  endeavour  to  derive  all 
the  advantages  which  they  may  afford.  Of  my  im 
mediate  predecessor,  under  whom  so  important  a 
portion  of  this  great  and  successful  experiment  has 
been  made,  I  shall  be  pardoned  for  expressing  my 
earnest  wishes  that  he  may  long  enjoy,  in  his  retire 
ment,  the  affections  of  a  grateful  country,  the  best 


xviii  APPENDIX. 

reward  of  exalted  talents,  and  the  most  faithful  and 
meritorious  services.  Relying  on  the  aid  to  he  de 
rived  from  the  other  departments  of  the  government, 
I  enter  on  the  trust  to  which  I  have  heen  called  hy 
the  suffrages  of  my  fellow  citizens,  with  my  fervent 
prayers  to  the  Almighty,  that  he  will  he  graciously 
pleased  to  continue  to  us  that  protection  which  he 
has  already  so  conspicuously  displayed  in  our  fa 
vour." 

Having  concluded  his  address,  the  oath  of  office 
was  administered  to  him  by  the  Chief  Justice  of  the 
United  States.  The  oath  was  announced  hy  a  sin 
gle  gun,  and  followed  by  salutes  from  the  Navy 
Yard,  the  Battery,  from  Fort  Warburton,  and  from 
several  pieces  of  artillery  on  the  ground. 

The  President  was  received  on  his  arrival,  with 
military  honours,  by  the ,  marine  corps,  by  the 
Georgetown  riflemen,  a  company  of  artillery,  and 
two  companies  of  infantry  from  Alexandria;  and  on 
his  return  was  saluted  in  like  manner. 

The  following  message  was  transmitted  from  the 
President  of  the  United  States,  by  his  secretary, 
Mr.  Joseph  Jones  Monroe,  on  Tuesday,  the  second 
day  of  December,  1817,  to  the  two  houses  of  the 
fifteenth  Congress. 

MESSAGE. 

'•  Fellow  Citizens  of  the  Senate, 

and  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 
"  At  no  period  of  our  political  existence,  had  we 
so  much  cause  to  felicitate  ourselves  at  the  prospc- 


APPEKDIX-  Xix 

rous  and  happy  condition  of  our  country.  The  abun 
dant  fruits  of  the  earth  have  filled  it  with  plenty. 
An  extensive  and  profitable  commerce  has  greatly 
augmented  our  revenue.  The  public  credit  has  at 
tained  an  extraordinary  elevation.  Our  prepara 
tions  for  defence,  in  case  of  future  wars,  from  which, 
by  the  experience  of  all  nations,  we  ought  not  to  ex 
pect  to  be  exempted,  are  advancing,  under  a  well 
digested  system,  with  all  the  despatch  which  so  im 
portant  a  work  will  admit.  Our  free  government, 
founded  on  the  interest  and  affections  of  the  people, 
has  gained,  and  is  daily  gaining  strength.  Local 
jealousies  are  rapidly  yielding  to  more  generous,  en 
larged  and  enlightened  views  of  national  policy.  For 
advantages  so  numerous  and  highly  important,  it  is 
our  duty  to  unite  in  grateful  acknowledgments  to 
that  omnipotent  Being  from  whom  they  are  derived, 
and  in  unceasing  prayer,  that  he  will  endow  us  with 
virtue  and  strength  to  maintain  and  hand  them 
down,  in  their  utmost  purity,  to  our  latest  posterity. 
"  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  inform  you,  that  an 
arrangement,  which  had  been  commenced  by  my 
predecessor,  with  the  British  government,  for  the 
reduction  of  the  naval  force,  by  Great  Britain  and 
the  United  States,  on  the  lakes,  has  been  concluded: 
by  which  it  is  provided,  that  neither  party  shall  keep 
in  service  on  Lake  Champlain,  more  than  one  ves 
sel;  on  Lake  Ontario  more  than  one;  and  on  Lake 
Erie,  and  the  upper  lakes,  more  than  two;  to  be 
armed,  each,  with  one  cannon  only;  and  that  all  the 
other  armed  vessels,  of  both  parties,  of  which  an 


XX  APPENDIX. 

exact  list  is  interchanged,  shall  he  dismantled,  it 
is  also  agreed,  that  the  force  retained  shall  he  re 
stricted,  in  its  duty,  to  the  internal  purposes  of  each 
party ;  and  that  the  arrangement  shall  remain  in 
force  until  six  months  shall  have  expired,  after  no 
tice  given  hy  one  of  the  parties  to  the  other,  of  its 
desire  that  it  should  terminate.  By  this  arrange 
ment,  useless  expense,  on  both  sides,  and,  wliat  is 
of  still  greater  importance,  the  danger  of  collision, 
between  armed  vessels,  in  those  inland  waters, 
which  was  great,  is  prevented. 

"  I  have  the  satisfaction  also  to  state,  that  the 
commissioners,  under  the  fourth  article  of  the  treaty 
of  Ghent,  to  whom  it  was  referred  to  decide,  to 
which  party  the  several  islands  in  the  bay  of  Passa- 
maquoddy  belonged  under  the  treaty  of  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  eighty -three,  have  agreed  in  a 
report,  by  which  all  the  islands  in  the  possession  of 
each  party  before  the  late  war  have  been  decreed  to 
it.  The  commissioners  acting  under  the  other  arti 
cles  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  for  the  settlement  of 
boundaries,  have  also  been  engaged  in  the  discharge 
of  their  respective  duties,  but  have  not  yet  completed 
them.  The  difference  which  arose  between  the  two 
governments  under  that  treaty,  respecting  the  right 
of  the  United  States,  to  take  and  cure  fish  on  the 
coast  of  the  British  provinces  north  of  our  limits, 
which  had  been  secured  by  the  treaty  of  one  thou 
sand  seven  hundred  and  eighty-three,  is  still  in  ne 
gotiation.  The  proposition  made  by  this  govern 
ment,  to  extend  to  the  colonies  of  Great  Britain  tli?, 


APPENDIX.  xxi 

principle  of  the  convention  of  London,  by  which 
the  commerce  between  the  ports  of  the  United  States 
and  British  ports  in  Europe,  had  been  placed  on  a 
footing  of  equality,  has  been  declined  by  the  British 
government.  This  subject  having  been  thus  amica 
bly  discussed  between  the  two  governments,  and  it 
appearing  that  the  British  government  is  unwilling 
to  depart  from  its  present  regulations,  it  remains  for 
Congress  to  decide,  whether  they  will  make  any 
other  regulation,  in  consequence  thereof,  for  the  pro 
tection  and  improvement  of  our  navigation. 

66  The  negotiation  with  Spain,  for  spoliations  on 
our  commerce,  and  the  settlement  of  boundaries,  re 
mains,  essentially,  in  the  state  it  held,  by  the  com 
munications  that  were  made  to  Congress  by  my  pre- 
decevssor.  It  has  been  evidently  the  policy  of  the 
Spanish  government,  to  keep  the  negotiation  sus 
pended,  and  in  this  the  United  States  have  acquies 
ced  from  an  amicable  disposition  towards  Spain,  and 
in  the  expectation  that  her  government  would,  from 
a  sense  of  justice,  finally  accede  to  such  an  arrange 
ment  as  would  be  equal  between  the  parties.  A  dis 
position  has  been  lately  shown  by  the  Spanish  go 
vernment  to  move  in  the  negotiation,  which  has  been 
met  by  this  government,  and  should  the  conciliatory 
and  friendly  policy,  which  has  invariably  guided  our 
councils,  be  reciprocated,  a  just  and  satisfactory  ar 
rangement  may  be  expected.  It  is  proper,  however, 
to  remark,  that  no  proposition  has  yet  been  made, 
from  which  such  a  result  can  be  presumed. 

"  It  was  anticipated,  at  an  early  stage,  that  tlm 


xxii  APPENDIX. 

contest  between  Spain  and  the  colonies  would  be 
come  highly  interesting  to  the  United  States.  It  was 
natural  that  our  own  citizens  should  sympathise  in 
events,  which  affected  their  neighbours.  It  seemed 
probable,  also,  that  the  prosecution  of  the  conflict 
along  our  coast,  and  in  contiguous  countries,  would 
occasionally  interrupt  our  commerce,  and  otherwise 
affect  the  persons  and  properties  of  our  citizens. 
These  anticipations  have  been  realised.  Such  inju 
ries  have  been  received  from  the  persons  acting  un 
der  the  authority  of  both  the  parties,  and  for  which 
redress  has,  in  most  instances,  been  withheld. 
Through  every  stage  of  the  conflict,  the  United 
States  have  maintained  an  impartial  neutrality,  giv 
ing  aid  to  neither  of  the  parties  in  men,  money,  ships 
or  munitions  of  war.  They  have  regarded  the  con 
test,  not  in  the  light  of  an  ordinary  insurrection  or 
rebellion,  but  as  a  civil  war  between  parties  nearly 
equal,  having  as  to  neutral  powers,  equal  rights.  Our 
ports  have  been  open  to  both,  and  every  article,  the 
fruit  of  our  soil,  or  of  the  industry  of  our  citizens, 
which  either  was  permitted  to  take,  has  been  equally 
free  to  the  other.  Should  the  colonies  establish  their 
independence,  it  is  proper  now  to  state,  that  this  go 
vernment  neither  seeks,  nor  would  accept,  from 
them  any  advantage,  in  commerce  or  otherwise, 
which  will  not  be  equally  open  to  all  other  nations. 
The  colonies  will,  in  that  ev  ent,  become  independent 
states,  free  from  any  obligation  to,  or  connexion 
with,  us,  which  it  may  not  then  be  their  interest  to 
form  on  the  basis  of  a  fair  reciprocity. 


APPENDIX, 

*»  111  the  summer  of  the  present  year  an  expedition 
was  set  on  foot  against  East  Florida,  by  persons 
claiming  to  act  under  the  authority  of  some  of  the 
colonies,  who  took  possession  of  Amelia  Island,  at  the 
mouth  of  the  St.  Mary's  river,  near  the  boundary 
of  the  state  of  Georgia.  As  this  province  lie:-  east 
ward  of  the  Mississippi,  and  is  bounded  by  the 
United  States  and  the  ocean  on  every  side,  and  has 
been  a  subject  of  negotiation  with  the  government 
of  Spain,  as  an  indemnity  for  losses  by  spoliation, 
or  in  exchange  for  territory  of  equal  value  westward 
of  the  Mississippi,  a  fact  well  known  to  the  world, 
it  excited  surprise,  that  any  countenance  should  be 
given  to  this  measure  by  any  of  the  colonies.  As  it 
would  be  difficult  to  reconcile  it  with  the  friendly 
relations  existing  between  the  United  States  and  the 
colonies,  a  doubt  was  entertained  whether  it  had 
been  authorised  by  them,  or  any  of  them.  This 
doubt  has  gained  strength,  by  the  circumstances 
which  have  unfolded  themselves  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  enterprise,  wbich  have  marked  it  as  a  mere 
private  unauthorised  adventure.  Projected  and  com 
menced  with  an  incompetent  force,  reliance  seems 
to  have  been  placed  on  what  might  be  drawn,  in 
defiance  of  our  laws,  from  within  our  limits ;  and  ol 
late,  as  their  resources  have  failed,  it  has  assumed 
a  more  marked  character  of  unfriendliness  to  us,  the 
island  being  made  a  channel  for  the  illicit  introduc 
tion  of  slaves  from  Africa  into  the  United  States,  an 
asylunil-  for4  fugitive  slaves  from  the  neighbouring 
states,  and  a  port  for  smuggling  of  every  kind. 


xxiv  APPENDIX. 

"  A  similar  establishment  was  made  at  an  earlier 
period,  by  persons  of  the  same  description  in  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico,  at  a  place  called  Galvezton,  within 
the  limits  of  the  United  States,  as  we  contend,  un 
der  the  cession  of  Louisiana.  This  enterprise  has 
been  marked,  in  a  most  signal  manner,  by  all  the 
objectionable  circumstances  which  characterised  the 
other,  and  more  particularly  by  the  equipment  of 
privateers,  which  have  annoyed  our  commerce,  and 
by  smuggling.  These  establishments,  if  ever  sanc 
tioned  by  any  authority  whatever,  which  is  not  be 
lieved,  have  abused  their  trust,  and  forfeited  all 
claim  to  consideration.  A  just  regard  for  the  rights 
and  interests  of  the  United  States,  required  that  they 
should  be  suppressed,  and  orders  have  accordingly 
issued  to  that  effect.  The  imperious  consideration 
which  produced  this  measure,  will  be  explained  to 
the  parties  whom  it  may,  in  any  degree,  concern. 

"  To  obtain  correct  information  on  every  subject 
in  which  the  United  States  are  interested;  to  in 
spire  just  sentiments,  in  all  persons  in  authority,  on 
either  side,  of  our  friendly  disposition,  so  far  as  it 
may  comport  with  an  impartial  neutrality ;  and  to 
secure  proper  respect  to  our  commerce  in  every  port, 
and  from  every  flag,  it  has  been  thought  proper  to 
send  a  ship  of  war,  with  three  distinguished  citizens, 
along  the  southern  coast,  with  instruction  to  touch  at 
such  ports  as  they  may  find  most  expedient  for  their 
purposes.  With  the  existing  authorities,  with  those 
in  the  possession  of,  and  exercising  the  sovereignty, 
must  the  communication  be  held ;  from  them  alone 


APPENDIX.  XXV 

can  redress  for  past  injuries,  committed  by  persons 
acting  under  them,  be  obtained ;  by  them  alone  can 
the  commission  of  the  like,  in  future,  be  prevented. 

"  Our  relations  with  the  other  powers  of  Europe 
have  experienced  no  essential  change  since  the  last 
session.  In  our  intercourse  with  each,  due  attention 
continues  to  be  paid  to  the  protection  of  our  com 
merce,  and  to  every  other  object  in  which  the  United 
States  are  interested.  A  strong  hope  is  entertained, 
that,  by  adhering  to  the  maxims  of  a  just,  a  candid 
and  friendly  policy,  we  may  long  preserve  amicable 
relations  with  all  the  powers  of  Europe,  on  condi 
tions  advantageous  and  honourable  to  our  country. 

"  With  the  Barbary  states  and  the  Indian  tribes, 
our  pacific  relations  have  been  preserved. 

"  In  calling  your  attention  to  the  internal  con 
cerns  of  our  country,  the  view  which  they  exhibit  is 
peculiarly  gratifying.  The  payments  which  have 
been  made  into  the  treasury,  show  the  very  produc 
tive  state  of  the  public  revenue.  After  satisfying 
the  appropriations  made  by  law  for  the  support  of 
the  civil  government,  and  of  the  military  and  naval 
establishments,  embracing  suitable  provision  for 
fortifications  and  for  the  gradual  increase  of  the 
navy ;  paying  the  interest  of  the  public  debt,  and 
extinguishing  more  than  eighteen  millions  of  the 
principal  within  the  present  year,  it  is  estimated  that 
a  balance  of  more  than  six  millions  of  dollars  will 
remain  in  the  treasury  on  the  first  day  of  January, 
applicable  to  the  current  service  of  the  ensuing  year. 

"The  payments  into  the  treasury,  during  the 


XXVi  APPENDIX. 

year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen,  on 
account  of  imposts  and  tonnage,  resulting  principal 
ly  from  duties  which  have  accrued  the  present  year, 
may  be  fairly  estimated  at  twenty  millions  of  dol 
lars;  internal  revenues,  at  two  millions  five  hun 
dred  thousand ;  public  lands,  at  one  million  five 
hundred  thousand  ;  bank  dividends  and  incidental 
receipts,  at  five  hundred  thousand ;  making,  in  the 
whole,  twenty-four  millions  and  five  hundred  thou 
sand  dollars. 

"  The  annual  permanent  expenditure  for  the  sup 
port  of  the  civil  government,  and  of  the  army  and 
navy,  as  now  established  by  law,  amounts  to  eleven 
millions  eight  hundred  thousand  dollars;  and  for  the 
sinking  fund,  to  ten  millions;  making  in  the  whole, 
twenty-one  millions  eight  hundred  thousand  dollars ; 
leaving  an  annual  excess  of  revenue,  beyond  the  ex 
penditure,  of  two  millions  seven  hundred  thousand 
dollars,  exclusive  of  the  balance  estimated  to  be  in 
the  treasury  on  the  first  day  of  January,  one  thou 
sand  eight  hundred  and  eighteen. 

"  In  the  present  state  of  the  treasury,  the  whole 
of  the  Louisiana  debt  may  be  redeemed  in  the  year 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  nineteen;  after 
which,  if  the  public  debt  continues  as  it  now  is, 
above  par,  there  will  be  annually  about  five  mil 
lions  of  the  sinking  fund  unexpended,  until  the  year- 
one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twenty -five,  when 
the  loan  of  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  twelve, 
and  the  stock  created  by  funding  treasury  notes, 
will  be  redeemable. 


APPENDIX.  xxvii 

•'•'  It  is  also  estimated  that  the  Mississippi  stock 
will  be  discharged  during  the  year  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  nineteen,  from  the  proceeds  of 
the  puhlic  lands  assigned  to  that  object;  after  which 
the  receipts  from  those  lands  will  annually  add  to 
the  public  revenue  the  sum  of  one  million  five  hun 
dred  thousand  dollars,  making  the  permanent  an 
nual  revenue  amount  to  twenty-six  millions  of  dol 
lars,  and  leaving  an  annual  excess  of  revenue,  after 
the  year  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  nineteen, 
beyond  the  permanent  authorised  expenditure,  of 
more  than  four  millions  of  dollars. 

"  By  the  last  returns  from  the  department  of  war, 
the  militia  force  of  the  several  states  may  be  esti 
mated  at  eight  hundred  thousand  men,  infantry,  ar 
tillery  and  cavalry.  Great  part  of  this  force  is  arm 
ed,  and  measures  are  taken  to  arm  the  whole.  An 
improvement  in  the  organization  and  discipline  of 
the  militia,  is  one  of  the  great  objects  which  claims 
the  unremitted  attention  of  congress. 

"  The  regular  force  amounts  nearly  to  the  num 
ber  required  by  law,  and  is  stationed  along  the  At 
lantic  and  inland  frontiers. 

**  Of  the  naval  force,  it  has  been  necessary  to 
maintain  strong  squadrons  in  the  Mediterranean, 
and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

"  From  several  of  the  Indian  tribes,  inhabiting 
the  country  belonging  to  Lake  Erie,  purchases  have 
been  made  of  lands,  on  conditions  very  favourable 
to  the  United  States,  and,  as  it  is  presumed,  not 
less  so  to  the  tribes  themselves.  By  these  purcba- 


xxviii  APPENDIX. 

scs  the  Indian  title,  with  moderate  reservations,  has 
been  extinguished  to  the  whole  of  the  land  within  the 
limits  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  and  to  a  great  part  of 
that  in  the  Michigan  territory,  and  of  the  state  of 
Indiana.  From  the  Cherokee  tribe  a  tract  has  been 
purchased,  in  the  state  of  Georgia,  and  an  arrange 
ment  made,  by  which,  in  exchange  for  lands  beyond 
the  Mississippi,  a  great  part,  if  not  the  whole,  of  the 
land  belonging  to  that  tribe,  eastward  of  that  river, 
in  the  states  of  North  Carolina,  Georgia,  and  Ten 
nessee,  and  in  the  Alabama  Territory,  will  soon  be 
acquired.  By  these  acquisitions,  and  others,  that 
may  reasonably  be  expected  soon  to  follow,  we  shall 
be  enabled  to  extend  our  settlements  from  the  in 
habited  parts  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  along  Lake  Erie, 
into  the  Michigan  territory,  and  to  connect  our  set 
tlements,  by  degrees,  through  the  state  of  Indiana 
and  the  Illinois  territory,  to  that  of  Missouri.  A 
similar,  and  equally  advantageous  effect  will  soon 
be  produced  to  the  south,  through  the  whole  extent 
of  the  states  and  territory,  which  border  on  the 
waters  emptying  into  the  Mississippi  and  the  Mo 
bile.  In  this  progress,  which  the  rights  of  nature 
demand,  and  nothing  can  prevent,  marking  a  growth 
rapid  and  gigantic,  it  is  our  duty  to  make  new 
efforts  for  the  preservation,  improvement,  and  civi 
lization  of  the  native  inhabitants.  The  hunter  state 
can  exist  only  in  the  vast,  uncultivated  desert.  It 
yields  to  the  more  dense  and  compact  form,  and 
greater  force,  of  civilized  population,  and  of  right 
it  ought  to  yield,  for  the  earth  was  given  to  man- 


APPENDIX.  sxjs 

kind  to  support  the  greatest  number  of  which  it  is 
capable,  and  no  tribe  or  people  have  a  right  to  with 
hold  from  the  wants  of  others  more  than  is  neces 
sary  for  their  own  support  and  comfort.  It  is  grati 
fying  to  know,  that  the  reservations  pf  land  made 
by  the  treaties  with  the  tribes  on  Lake  Erie,  were 
made  with  a  view  to  individual  ownership  among 
them,  and  to  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  by  all,  and 
that  an  annual  stipend  has  been  pledged  to  supply 
their  other  wants.  It  will  merit  the  consideration 
of  Congress,  whether  other  provision,  not  stipulated 
by  the  treaty,  ought  to  be  made  for  these  tribes,  and 
for  the  advancement  of  the  liberal  and  humane  policy 
of  the  United  States  towards  all  the  tribes  within 
our  limits,  and  more  particularly  for  their  improve 
ment  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life. 

"  Among  the  advantages  incident  to  these  pur 
chases,  and  to  those  which  have  preceded,  the  secu 
rity  which  may  thereby  be  afforded  to  our  inland 
frontiers,  is  peculiarly  important.  With  a  strong 
barrier,  consisting  of  our  own  people,  thus  planted 
en  the  lakes,  the  Mississippi  and  the  Mobile,  with 
the  protection  to  be  derived  from  the  regular  force, 
Indian  hostilities,  if  they  do  not  altogether  cease, 
will  henceforth  lose  thefr  terror.  Fortifications,  in 
those  quarters,  to  any  extent,  will  not  be  necessary, 
and  the  expense  attending  them  may  be  saved.  A 
people  accustomed  to  the  use  of  fire  arms  only,  as 
the  Indian  tribes  arc,  will  shun  even  moderate  works 
which  are  defended  by  cannon.  Great  fortifications 
will,  therefore,  be  requisite  only,  in  future,  along  the 


XXX  APPENDIX. 

coast,  and  at  some  points  in  the  interior  connected 
with  it.  On  these  will  the  safety  of  our  towns,  and 
the  commerce  of  our  great  rivers,  from  the  Bay  of 
Fnndy  to  the  Mississippi,  depend.  On  these,  there 
fore,  should  the  utmost  attention,  skill,  and  labour, 
be  bestowed. 

"  A  considerable  and  rapid  augmentation  in  the 
value  of  all  the  public  lands,  proceeding  from  these 
and  other  obvious  causes,  may  henceforward  be  ex 
pected.  The  difficulties  attending  early  emigrations, 
will  be  dissipated  even  in  the  most  remote  parts.  Se- 
vcral  new  states  have  been  admitted  into  our  union, 
to  the  west  and  south,  and  territorial  governments, 
happily  organized,  established  over  every  other  por 
tion  in  which  there  is  vacant  land  for  sale.  In  ter 
minating  Indian  hostilities,  as  must  soon  be  done, 
in  a  formidable  shape  at  least,  the  emigration  which 
has  heretofore  been  great,  will  probably  increase, 
and  the  demand  for  land,  and  the  augmentation  in 
its  value,  be  in  like  proportion.  The  great  increase 
of  our  population  throughout  the  union,  will  alone 
produce  an  important  effect,  and  in  no  quarter  will 
it  be  so  sensibly  felt  as  in  those  in  contemplation. 
The  public  lands  are  a  public  stock,  which  ought  to 
be  disposed  of  to  the  best  advantage  for  the  nation. 
The  nation  should,  therefore,  derive  the  profit  pro 
ceeding  from  the  continual  rise  in  their  value.  Every 
encouragement  should  be  given  to  the  emigrants, 
consistent  with  a  fair  competition  between  them,  but 
that  competition  should  operate,  in  the  first  sale,  to 
the  advantage  of  the  nation  rather  than  of  indivi- 


APPENDIX. 

duals.  Great  capitalists  will  derive  all  the  benefit 
incident  to  their  superior  wealth,  under  any  mode  of 
sale  which  may  he  adopted.  But  if  looking  forward 
to  the  rise  in  the  value  of  the  public  lands,  they 
should  have  the  opportunity  of  amassing,  at  a  low 
price,  vast  bodies  in  their  hands,  the  profit  will  ac 
crue  to  them,  and  not  to  the  public.  They  would 
also  have  the  power,  in  that  degree  to  controul  the 
emigration  and  settlement,  in  such  manner  as  their 
opinion  of  their  respective  interests  might  dictate. 
I  submit  this  subject  to  the  consideration  of  Con 
gress,  that  such  further  provision  may  be  made  in 
the  sale  of  the  public  lands,  with  a  view  to  the  public 
interest,  should  any  be  deemed  expedient,  as  in  their 
judgment  may  be  best  adapted  to  the  object. 

66  When  we  consider  the  vast  extent  of  territory 
within  the  United  States,  the  great  amount  and  va 
lue  of  its  productions,  the  connexion  of  its  parts,  and 
Other  circumstances,  on  which  their  prosperity  and 
happiness  depend,  we  cannot  fail  to  entertain  a  high 
sense  of  the  advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  faci 
lity  which  may  be  afforded  in  the  intercourse  be 
tween  them,  by  means  of  good  roads  and  canals. 
Never  did  a  country  of  such  vast  extent  offer  equal 
inducements  to  improvements  of  this  kind,  nor  ever 
were  consequences  of  such  magnitude  involved  in 
them.  As  this  subject  was  acted  on  by  Congress  at 
the  last  session,  and  there  may  be  a  disposition  to 
revive  it  at  the  present,  I  have  brought  it  into  view, 
for  the  purpose  of  communicating  my  sentiments  on 
a  very  important  circumstance  connected  with  it. 


APPENDIX. 

with  that  freedom  and  candour  which  a  regard  for 
the  puhlic  interest,  and  a  proper  respect  for  Con 
gress,  require.  A  difference  of  opinion  has  existed, 
from  the  first  formation  of  our  constitution  to  the 
present  time,  among  our  most  enlightened  and  vir 
tuous  citizens,  respecting  the  right  of  Congress  to 
establish  such  a  system  of  improvement.  Taking 
into  view  the  trust  with  which  I  am  now  honoured, 
it  would  he  improper,  after  what  has  passed,  that 
this  discussion  should  he  revived,  with  an  uncertain 
ty  of  my  opinion  respecting  the  right.  Disregard 
ing  early  impressions,  I  have  hestowed  on  the  sub 
ject  all  the  deliberation  which  its  great  importance, 
and  a  just  sense  of  my  duty  required,  and  the  result 
is,  a  settled  conviction  in  my  mind,  that  Congress 
do  not  possess  the  right.  It  is  not  contained  in  any 
of  the  specified  powers  granted  to  Congress,  nor  can 
I  consider  it  incidental  to,  or  a  necessary  mean, 
viewed  on  the  most  liberal  scale,  for  carrying  into 
effect  any  of  the  powers  which  are  specifically  grant 
ed.  In  communicating  this  result,  I  cannot  resist 
the  obligation  which  I  feel  to  suggest  to  Congress, 
the  propriety  of  recommending  to  the  states  the 
adoption  of  an  amendment  to  the  constitution,  which 
shall  give  to  Congress  the  right  in  question.  In 
cases  of  doubtful  construction,  especially  of  such 
vital  interest,  it  comports  with  the  nature  and  origin 
of  our  institutions,  and  will  contribute  much  to  pre 
serve  them,  to  apply  to  our  constituents  for  an  ex 
plicit  grant  of  the  power.  We  may  confidently  rely, 
that  if  it  appears  to  their  satisfaction,  that  the  power 


APPENDIX. 

is  necessary,  it  will  always  be  granted.  In  this  case 
I  am  happy  to  observe,  that  experience  has  afforded 
most  ample  proof  of  its  utility,  and  that  the  benign 
spirit  of  conciliation  and  harmony,  which  now  mani 
fests  itself  throughout  our  union,  promises  to  such 
a  recommendation  the  most  prompt  and  favourable 
result.  I  think  proper  to  suggest,  also,  in  case  this 
measure  is  adopted,  that  it  be  recommended  to  the 
states  to  include,  in  the  amendment  sought,  a  right 
in  Congress  to  institute,  likewise,  seminaries  of 
learning,  for  the  all  important  purpose  of  diffusing 
knowledge  among  our  fellow  citizens  throughout  the 
United  States. 

(i  Our  manufactures  will  require  the  continued 
attention  of  Congress.  The  capital  employed  in 
them  is  considerable,  and  the  knowledge  acquired 
in  the  machinery  and  fabric  of  all  the  most  useful 
manufactures  is  of  great  value.  Their  preservation, 
which  depends  on  due  encouragement,  is  connected 
with  the  high  interests  of  the  nation. 

"Although  the  progress  of  the  public  buildings  has 
been  as  favourable  as  circumstances  have  permitted, 
it  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  Capitol  is  not  yet  in  a 
state  to  receive  you.  There  is  good  cause  to  pre 
sume  that  the  two  wings,  the  only  parts  as  yet  com 
menced,  will  be  prepared  for  that  purpose  at  the  next 
session.  The  time  seems  now  to  have  arrived,  when 
this  subject  may  be  deemed  worthy  the  attention  of 
Congress,  on  a  scale  adequate  to  national  purposes. 
The  completion  of  the  middle  building  will  be  neces 
sary  to  the  convenient  accommodation  of  Congress* 


APPENDIX. 

of  the  committees,  and  various  offices  belonging  to  ii 
It  is  evident,  that  the  other  public  buildings  are  alto 
gether  insufficient  for  the  accommodation  of  the  se 
veral  executive  departments,  some  of  whom   are 
much  crowded,  and  even  subjected  to  the  necessity 
of  obtaining  it  in  private  buildings,  at  some  distance 
from  the  head  of  the  department,  and  with  inconve 
nience  to  the  management  of  the  public  business. 
Most  nations  have  taken  an  interest  and  a  pride  in 
the  improvement  and  ornament  of  their  metropolis ; 
and  none  were  more  conspicuous  in  that  respect  than 
the  ancient  republics.     The  policy  which  dictated 
the  establishment  of  a  permanent  residence  for  the 
national  government,  and  the  spirit  in  which  it  was 
commenced  and  has  been  prosecuted,  show  that  such 
improvement  was  thought  worthy  the  attention  of 
this  nation.     Its  central  position,  between  the  north 
ern  and  southern  extremes  of  our  union,  and  its  ap 
proach  to  the  west,  at  the  head  of  a  great  navigable 
river,  which  interlocks  with  the  western  waters, 
proves  the  wisdom  of  the  councils  which  established 
it.     Nothing  appears  to  be  more  reasonable  and 
proper,  than  that  convenient  accommodations  should 
be  provided,  on  a  well  digested  plan,  for  the  heads 
of  the  several  departments,  and  for  the  attorney- 
general  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  the  public  ground 
in  the  city,  applied  to  those  objects,  will  be  fount 
amply  sufficient.     I  submit  this  subject  to  the  consi 
deration  of  Congress,  that  such  further  provisioi 
may  be  made  in  it,  as  to  them  may  seem  proper. 
"  In  contemplating  the  happy  situation  of  tin 


APPENDIX.  xxxv 

States,  our  attention  is  drawn  with  peculiar 
interest,  to  the  surviving  officers  and  soldiers  of  our 
revolutionary  army,  who  so  eminently  contributed, 
by  their  services,  to  lay  its  foundation.  Most  of 
those  very  meritorious  citizens  have  paid  the  debt 
of  nature,  and  gone  to  repose.  It  is  believed  that 
among  the  survivors  there  are  some  not  provided  for 
by  existing  laws,  who  are  reduced  to  indigence,  and 
even  to  real  distress.  These  men  have  a  claim  on 
the  gratitude  of  their  country,  and  it  will  do  honour 
to  their  country  to  provide  for  them.  The  lapse  of 
a  few  years  more,  and  the  opportunity  will  be  for 
ever  lost :  indeed,  so  long  already  has  been  the  in 
terval,  that  the  number  to  be  benefited  by  any  pro 
vision  which  may  be  made,  will  not  be  great. 

"  It  appearing  in  a  satisfactory  manner  that  the 
revenue  arising  from  imposts  and  tonnage,  and  from 
the  sale  of  the  public  lands,  will  be  fully  adequate 
to  the  support  of  the  civil  government,  of  the  pre 
sent  military  and  naval  establishments,  including 
tlie  annual  augmentation  of  the  latter,  to  the  extent 
provided  for;  to  the  payment  of  the  interest  on  the 
public  debt,  and  to  the  extinguishment  of  it  at  the 
times  authorized,  without  the  aid  of  the  internal 
taxes,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  recommend  to  Con 
gress  their  repeal.  To  impose  taxes,  when  the  pub 
lic  exigencies  require  them,  is  an  obligation  of  the 
most  sacred  character,  especially  with  a  free  people. 
The  faithful  fulfilment  of  it  is  among  the  highest 
proofs  of  their  virtue,  and  capacity  for  self-govern 
ment.  To  dispense  with  taxes,  when  it  may  be 


APPENDIX. 

done  with  perfect  safety,  is  equally  the  duty  of  their 
representatives.  In  this  instance  we  have  the  satis 
faction  to  know  that  they  were  imposed  when  the 
demand  was  imperious,  and  have  been  sustained 
with  exemplary  fidelity.  I  have  to  add,  that  how 
ever  gratifying  it  may  be  to  me,  regarding  the  pros 
perous  and  happy  condition  of  our  country,  to  re 
commend  the  repeal  of  these  taxes  at  this  time,  I 
shall  nevertheless  be  attentive  to  events,  and  should 
any  future  emergency  occur,  be  not  less  prompt  to 
suggest  such  measures  and  burdens  as  may  then  be 
requisite  and  proper. 

"JAMES  MONROE. 
"  Washington,  December  2,  1817." 


UBIV-SRSITY 


THE  END. 


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